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Anwer Mahmoud Zanaty



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glossary of islamic terms

'Abasa

"He frowned"

. The blind man that is referred to in this surah is Abdullah ibn

Umm Maktoum. Surah 80 of the Holy Qur'an.

The Abbasid Caliphs (132-656 A.H./750-1259 A.D.)

They assumed the Caliphate following the Umayyads. They trace
their lineage to Al-`Abbas, the Prophet's uncle. After half a century of
secret arrangements, the Abbasid Revolution began in Khurasan
under the leadership of Abu Muslim Al-Khurasani, 130 A.H./748 A.D.
During their rule the Muslim empire reached its zenith in all aspects
of life. Their first Caliph was Abu Al-`Abbas Al-Saffah. He was
followed by Abu Ja`far Al-Mansur who ended the revolutionary
period, reaffirmed their rule and established Baghdad, the capital,
which witnessed a scientific, cultural and literary renaissance that
stretched throughout the Middle Centuries. Unfortunately, the state
eventually began to decline and suffer from weakness and
5

decentralization. Many petty states emerged such as the Tulunids, the

Ikhshidids and the Fatimids. The Mongols destroyed the Abbasid
Caliphate and Al-Musta`sim, the last caliph, was killed by Hulegu.

Abbey
Abbot
Abdication

Abdul Muttalib
Abdul Muttalib was the nickname of the grandfather of
Muhammad S.
Hashim bin 'Abd Manaf, the great-grandfather of Muhammad
S was the chief of Makkah and also a caretaker of the
Kabah. Through his trading caravans, he had brought
prosperity to Makkah. He had made Makkah the trading
capital of Arabia. During one of his business trips,
caravan of Hashim bin 'Abd Manaf stopped at Yathrib
(Madinah). There, he married Salma bint Amr of the
local Najjar tribe. A few days after his marriage, Hashim
bin 'Abd Manaf continued on his business trip. During
that journey, he fell sick and died of his illness. His fellow
travelers buried him in Ghaza. A few months after the
death of Hashim bin 'Abd Manaf, his widow Salma gave
birth to his son. That boy was named Amr bin Hashim,
but everyone called him Shaybah (Old man) because he
had a bunch of white hair at birth. Back in Makkah, Al
Muttalib bin 'Abd Manaf, a younger brother of Hashim
bin 'Abd Manaf assumed the responsibilities of the offices
of the Ka'bah after him. By chance, Al Muttalib bin 'Abd
Manaf found out that his nephew, son of his elder brother
Hashim bin 'Abd Manaf, was growing up in Yathrib
6

(Madinah) with his mother and maternal uncles. Al

Muttalib bin 'Abd Manaf decided to return the wealth of
Hashim bin 'Abd Manaf to his son Shaybah.
Al Muttalib bin 'Abd Manaf traveled to Yathrib
(Madinah) to bring his nephew back to Makkah. After
initial hesitation Salma agreed to send her son to Makkah
with his uncle Al Muttalib bin 'Abd Manaf. On their way
to Makkah, Shaybah was riding ahead of Al Muttalib bin
'Abd Manaf. In those days, usually servants rode ahead of
their masters. When people of Makkah saw Shaybah
riding ahead of Al Muttalib, they mistook him as a servant
of Al Muttalib. That is why they called him 'Abdul
Muttalib, which means the servant of Al Muttalib. This
nickname became so popular that his real name Amr bin
Hashim or his nickname Shaybah, was completely
forgotten. With time 'Abdul Muttalib became the chief of
Makkah and the caretaker of the Kabah. He inherited the
responsibility to provide drinking water to the pilgrims of
the Kabah. Fetching water all day long from distant wells
made him very tired. By chance he discovered the longlost Zamzam well. Muhammad S was the son of Abdul
Muttalibs youngest son Abdullah. Muhammad S was
born a few months after the death of his father. Abdul
Muttalib loved his grandson Muhammad S very much.
'Abdul Muttalib died when Muhammad S was only eight
year old.

Abdullah / Abd Allah

After the advent of Islam, Abd Allah became one of the
most popular names. It means slave of Allah. Rules of Arabic
language grammar allow the two words to be combined
together. After joining together, words Abd and Allah can be
written as Abdullah or Abdallah. Arabs worshiped Allah in
the days of ignorance also, but they took many partners with
7

Him. They mistakenly considered Allah as the biggest of their

many gods. The name Abd Allah was in use among Arabs
before Islam also. Father of Muhammad S was also named
Abdullah. He had died a few months before Muhammad S
was born.Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib was the name of the
father of Muhammad S. He was the youngest son of Abdul
Muttalib. Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib died a few months
after his marriage with Aminah bint Wahb. Muhammad S was
born a few months after the death of his father Abdullah bin
Abdul Muttalib
Aberrance

Ability

Abjuration

- -

Abjurer

Ablution

At the five daily prayer times prescribed by the Qur'an,

ablutions are part of the ritual purification which must precede
participation in contemplation and the act of prostration and
prayer. .
Abode
A . of delusion
A . of joy
A . of
peace
A . of
perdition
A . of temptation
A . that abideth
A . which remaineth

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Abodes ( the two )

Abolish
Abominable

( )

Abrahah Al-Habashi

Abrahah Al-Habashi : The commander who led a huge army

supported by elephants in an attempt to destroy the Ka`bah
Abrogating

Absolute

Absolvable

Abstemious

Abstention

Abstinence

Abu Al-Qasim

It is the Kunya of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah

bless him and grant him peace). It is prohibited to have the
Kunya of the Holy Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him
peace). See Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 205,book 73, Vol.8 Sahih
Muslim, Kitab-ul Adab.
Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him)

Also spelled Abi Bakr. He was one of the greatest companions

of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace. His full name is Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. The Holy Prophet,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, called him as-Siddiq
because he always believed in him (may Allah bless him and
9

grant him peace), without any reservation. He was the first of

the four rightly guided Khalifaas (al-Khulafaa al-Rashideen)
from 11 - 13 AH. The other three, may Allah bless them, were
1. Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him,
13-23 AH.
2. Uthman ibn 'Affan , may Allah be pleased with him,
24-36 AH.
3. Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him,
36- 40 AH.

Abu Lahab

Fiercest enemy of Islam and paternal uncle of the Prophet

Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Surah
111 of the Holy Qur'an. Known as Suratul Masad.
Abundance
Accepted
Accepter
Accountableness
Accursed

'Ad

( )

An ancient tribe that lived after the Prophet Nooh (Noah),

peace be on him, in the village of Ahqaf in the Yemen. It was a
very prosperous tribe, but was rebellious against Allah Subhana
wa Ta'ala and their Prophet Houd, peace be on him. So Allah
Ta'ala destroyed it with a fatal westerly windstorm (AdDabour). See Holy Qur'an, Houd (11):50-60. See Mursaleen .

Adam (Peace be on him)

The first man and a prophet. He was created neither in Paradise
nor on Earth, but in the realm of Allah's mercy. From there he
10

was sent to Jannah (Paradise), from where later he was sent

down to Earth. He had many offspring, the most famous ones
are Habil (Abel) and Qaabil (Cain). See Holy Qur'an, AlBaqarah (2): 30-39, Al-Maida (5) 30-34. See Mursaleen .

Adhan

Islamic way for calling Muslims to prayer. The Adhan that is

announced today was formulized and formalized in l AH. See
Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 583,book 3, Vol.1 Sahih Muslim, Kitabul Adab.
Admonishment

Administrative

Adoration

Adorer

Adult

Adulterant

Adulterer

Adulteress

Adulterine

Adultery

Adverse

Advocate

Affability

Affection

Affidavit

Affinity

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Affinity

Afflatus

Aforetime

Afwu

The Forgiver or Pardoner

Al-'Afuwo": The Forgiver or Pardoner, in the sense of

obliterating the memory of wrongdoings from one's mind. One
of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah Ta' ala. See Maghfirah .
Aged

Aggression

Aggressiveness
Agnomen

Agnosticism

Agony of death

AH

After Hijra

After Hijra. Hijra means emigration. The Islamic calendar

starts from the day the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, emigrated from Makkah to
Madinah, in 622 A.D.

Ahad

1. One.
2. The Incomparable. When referring to Allah Subhana wa
Ta'la, this means:
A. that He has no comparable in His Essence or in any of
His Attributes.
B. that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah.
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Ahadeeth

Sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may

Allah bless him and grant him peace. Singular: Hadith.

Ahl al-nass w-al-ta 'y in

People of Divine ordinance and designation

Ahl ar-ra'y

people of opinion

means people of opinion. It is refers to people that are

consulted on Islamic matters. These people are highly learned
in Islam.

Ahl al-Dimmah (or Dhimmis)

are the non-Muslim subjects of an Islamic state who have been

subjugated under the Muslims and pay Jizyah tax in order to
have tolerance of their rights to life, property and practice of
their religion, etc.

Ahl al-Kitab

'People of the Book,'

literally 'People of the Book,' refers to the followers of Divine

Revelation before the advent of Mohammad.

Ahlul Bait "the People of the House".

Literally means "the People of the House". A polite way of

addressing the wife and the members of the household.
Sometimes used to refer to the family of the Prophet
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Muhammad, may the blessing and peace of Allah be on him

and on his family and on all his companions. The blessings
here are addressed to the entire household. See Holy Qur' an,
Houd (11):73.

Ahlul Kitab "the People of the Scripture"

Literally means "the People of the Scripture". It refers to

Yahoud (Jews), Nasara (Christians) and Saabe-een (Sabians).
Those who believe in the Trinity and that Jesus is God and/or
the Son of God are considered as Kuffar (unbelievers), even
though they are Ahlul Kitab.
See Maghdoub and Dhaleen . Holy Qur' an, Yusuf Ali, AlMaida (5): 19, 75-76. Holy Qur' an, M. Pickthall, Al-Maida
(5):17, 72-73.

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Ahlul Kitab wa sunnah

Literally means "the People of the Book (the Holy Qur'an) and
the sayings and traditions, (the Sunnah of Muhammad, may
Alah bless him and grant him peace)". This refers to the people
who strive to follow exactly the teachings of the Holy Qur'an
and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
without any deviations.

Ahmad

Another name of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant

him peace. Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on him, prophesied his
coming. See Muhammad , may Allah bless him and grant him
peace. See Holy Qur' an, As-Saff(61):6.

Ahqaf (Al) Name of a village in Yemen

Name of a village in Yemen. Home of the people of 'Ad. See

'Ad . Surah 46 of the Holy Qur' an.

Aid

'Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her)

Daughter of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with

him and her) and wife of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace. Call mother of the Faithful ( uml Mumineen )

Aimless

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Ajal

time of death

Appointed time. In Islamic terminology it refers to the

(appointed) time of death. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'an
that He will not, (and therefore no-one else can), alter the time
of someone's death. Muslims reject such statements as "the
doctor saved his life", or "he would have lived longer in..".
Such statements are made by those who do not believe in Allah
or do not have the understanding of the necessity to believe in
Allah, thus exposing themselves to Shirk (associating partners
with Allah), by believing and saying that the power over life
and death is within human capability.

'Ala (Al) The Most High

"The Most High" See Surah 87 of the Holy Qur 'an.

AL-'ADL

The Just

"The Just". Among the 99 Names of God in Islamic theology.

Alaihi Salaam Peace be upon him

Peace be upon him. This is said whenever the name of a Malak

(an angel), a nabi (a prophet) or a rasool (a messenger) of Allah
is mentioned, except for the name or title of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallahu 'alaihe wa sallam). See Sallallahu
'alaihe wa sallam . See Mursaleen.

Al-Andalus

Now the Arabic name for Spain. The word was derived from
"Vandalusie", or the country of the Vandals. The Arabs settled
in Al-Andalus for seven centuries where they commissioned
architectural masterpieces making Al-Andalus one of the most
beautiful architectural regions in the Islamic world.

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Al-Asma al-Husna

Al-Asma al-Husna, literally meaning the 'most excellent names'

used of God, express His greatness and paramountcy, holiness,

purity, and the perfection and absoluteness of all His attributes

Al-Aus

Al-Aus : A tribe in Medina, later a section of the Ansar

al-Husayn

The son of Ali Ibn Abi Talib and Fatima, he was assassinated in
680 AD in Kerbala and is venerated by the Shiites

Al-`Uzza

Al-`Uzza : An idol worshipped in Mecca in the Pre-Islamic

period

Al-hamudu lillah

Praise be to Allah

Praise be to Allah. Should be said on all occasions and

especially after sneezing. Abu Huraira related that the Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
'When any one of you sneezes, then he should say "Al-hamdu
lillah", and his brother or friend (who listens) should respond
by saying "Yarhamuka Allah", (Allah have mercy upon you);

al-hawa.

Personal temptations.

Ali ibn Abi Talib, May Allah be pleased with him

One of the greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The last of the four
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rightly guided Khalifs (al-Khulafaa al-Rashideen), may Allah

bless with him, he ruled from 36AH to 4OAH. He was
martyred whilst praying in the Masjid (mosque). See Khalifa.

Al-Khazraj

Al-Khazraj : A tribe in Medina, later a section of the Ansar

ALLAH

God

The Name of the Creator of the Universe and all that it

contains. Derives from the word "Ilah" which means "the One
deserving all worship", the One to Whom all hearts submit in
love, fear, reverence, desire, trust and sincerity, and to Whom
all limbs submit in all forms of worship such as prayers,
supplications, sacrifices, invocations, etc.
1 - Allah has decreed that His Holy Name is "Allah" and has
ordained that all His creation call upon Him by the name
of "Allah". In the original Bible and Taurat (in the
Hebrew text), the name "Allah" is used.
2 - In Islam the name "God" is not used for the fear of
misunderstanding. To the Christians it will give them a
mental image of a human being (the Prophet Jesus, son
of Mary, peace be on him), to some Hindus it creates a
mental picture of an animal (a cow). To the Zoroastrians
it creates a picture of a fire, Allah, there is none but He,
King of the Universe, the Creator and Originator of all
that there is. He has no beginning nor end. He was not
begotten nor did He beget. He is not like any thing.

Allah ta'ala Allah the Exalted

Al-Llat

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Al-Lat : An idol worshipped by the Thaqif in the Pre-Islamic

period
Allegation

Za'ama

Allegiance

-

Alliance
Allies

Allowed

Allurement

Ally

Almighty

The Almoravids (448-541 A.H./1056-1146 A.D.)

The Almoravids (448-541 A.H./1056-1146 A.D.) : The
Almoravids were Berber descendants of the Limtunah, a tribe
of Sinhajah. They founded an Islamic state in Morocco and
ruled Andalusia and Tunisia. They were known for their
covered faces and were called Al-Murabitin for living in
secluded places for practicing acts of worship. Yusuf bin
Tashfin was the most famous among their Sultans. He founded
Marrakesh and made it the capital of his state. He defeated the
Franks and put an end to the rule of Muluk Al-Tawa'if (the
Kings of the Petty States). He left to `Ali, his son, a strong and
vast state, but it was eventually destroyed by Almohads.
The Almohads (515-667 A.H./1121-1269 A.D.)

The Almohads (515-667 A.H./1121-1269 A.D.) : A Shiite state in

Morocco founded by Al-Mahdi bin Tumart after the fall of the

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Almoravid state. The Almohads ruled Morocco and extended

their influence over Andalusia. Their state collapsed in
Andalusia after the Battle of Al-`Aqab, (609 A.H./1212 A.D.)

Almsgiving

zakat

Almsgiving (zakat in Arabic) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam,

almsgiving constitutes one of the main means by which Islam
strives for an economically just society. It is an obligatory
"poor tax"--reckoned at somewhere between two and ten
percent of income and holdings--which can be given directly to
the poor or to a distribution official. The money is used for
hospitals, schools, helping indigent debtors and freeing slaves,
as well as poor support. From the perspective of the giver,
"zakat" (as it is known in Arabic) purifies the giver and the
remainder of his "wealth." It is also envisioned as a loan to
Allah, who will repay it double.
Almsgiving

Alter ego

Ambassador

Ambigus
Amen

Amender

Amin

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Other Commonly Used Spellings: AAMIN, AAMEEN,

AMEEN means custodian or guardian. Someone who is loyal
or faithful.

Amirul Mumineen Commander of the Faithful

Commander of the Faithful. Title of the leader of the Islamic
nation after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace. The first four commanders of
the faithful of the new Islamic nation were called al-Khulafaa
al-Rashideen, "the rightly-guided Khulafaas" (see Khalifa .
They were given this title because they carried out their duties
perfectly according to the Holy Qur'an and the practices and
teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace.

Ammunition

Amnah bint Wahb

Aminah bint Wahb was the mother of Muhammad S, the

Messenger of Allah. She was the daughter of Wahb bin Abd
Manaf bin Zuhrah. Aminah bint Wahb was married to
Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib, the youngest son of Abdul
Muttalib. Her husband Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib died
during one of his trading trips and was buried in Yathrib
(Madinah), where he had stopped for treatment with the
maternal uncles of his father. He was buried there. Muhammad
S, the Messenger of Allah, was born a few months after the
death of his father. When the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad
S was six year old, his mother Aminah bint Wahb took him to
the grave of his father Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib in
Yathrib (Madinah). Aminah bint Wahb fell sick at Abwa, when
21

they were returning from Yathrib (Madinah). She died and was
buried at Abwa, a township between Makkah and Yathrib
(Madinah). The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S was
brought back to his grandfather Abdul Muttalib in Makkah, by
Umm Ayman, a maidservant of his father.
Amnesty

Anathematization

Ancestor
( )
Ancestral

Anchorite

Animator

Animism

Annalist

Annals

Announcement

Announcer

Annunciation

Ansar

Literally means "helpers".

The inhabitants of Madinah, the Aus and the Khazraj
tribes, who embraced Islam and supported the
Muslim emigrants against the pagan Quraishi and
other tribes who made war on the Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace.
Helpers of the Prophet Isa (the Prophet Jesus, son of
Mary), peace be on him. See Holy Qur'an, As-Saff
(61):14. Singular: Ansari.

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Antichrist
Antique
Apologue
Apophthegm
Apostacy

Apostasy Movement

Apostasy Movement : Some tribes took advantage of the

turmoil among the Muslims following the Prophet's death and
declared their apostasy.
Apostate
Apostle
Apostleship
Apostheosis
Approver ( the )
Approving
Appurtenance

aqiqah

the ceremony of shaving a baby's head and giving it a formal

name. This ritual is a celebration of the birth of the child, and
the giving of a name that welcomes it into the Muslim
community. It usually takes place within seven days of the
birth.

Arab genealogy

Ansaboul arab

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Arab genealogy : Arabs used to pride themselves on their noble

birth and pure lineage. The Prophet's ancestry can be traced
back to the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him).

Arabicization of the Diwans

Arabicization of the Diwans : 700 Caliph `Abdul-Malik bin

Marwan orders the arabicization of the Diwans (state
ministries), which were following the Persian order (81 A.H.)

'Arafat

A pilgrimage site, ahout 25km east of Makkah al-Mukaramah.

Standing on 'Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah and staying there
from mid-day to sunset is the essence of the Hajj (the
Pilgrimage).
Arbitrariness

Arbitrary

Arbitration

Arbitrator

Arch

Archives

'Areem

dam

May be translated as dams or embankments. The 'Areme (dam)

that is referred to in Surah 34:16 is the Maarib Dam whose
traces still exist in Yemen.
Argue

Arguer

24

Argumentation

Armament

Armature

Arm
Arrant

Arrogance
Arrogant

Arrow

Arsenal

Aruspex

'Asr (Al) Afternoon

"Afternoon". The third compulsory Salat (Prayer) of the day. It

can be prayed at any time between mid-afternoon and a little
before sunset. Surah 103 of the Holy Qur'an.
Ascendance
-
Ascendancy
-
Ascension
-
Ascent

Ascents

Ascertainment

Ascetic
-

Asceticism
ascetic

Batul

means ascetic. It is ascribed to Fatimah (the Prophets daughter)

and the Virgin Mary.

Ashabul Aika
25

Dwellers of the wood. Another name for the Midianites. See

Madyan . See Holy Qur'an, Al-Hijr (15):78, Al-Shu'ara
(26):176-191.
Ashab Al-Maimana companions of the Right

Literally means "companions of the Right", the righteous

people. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah Ta'ala will sort out
the good and the evil. They will be divided into three groups:
1. Muqarraboon - the exalted class, those who are nearest
to Allah Ta'ala.
2. Ashab al-Maimana - the righteous people, those who are
destined to enter Jannah (Paradise).
3. Ashab aI-Mash'ama - literally means "companions of the
Left"; these people will be the inheritors of the Nar
(Hellfire).
For full explanations of: Muqarraboon, see Surah Al-Waqi'ah
(56):11-26; Ashab al-Maimana, see Surah 56:27-40. Ashab alMash 'ama, see Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56):41-56.

Ashab Al-Mash'ama Companions of the Left

Literally means "Companions of the Left", the evil-doers.

These people will he the companions of the Nar (Hellfire) on
the Day of Resurrection. For full explanation: See Ashab alMaimana . See Holy Qur'an, Al-Wa qi'a (56):41-56.

Ashraful Mursaleen

The most honoured of all the prophets. One of the titles of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad , may Allah bless him and grant him
peace.

26

Asharatul mubashshirun (Al)

the ten people that were given the glad tidings of assurance of
entering Paradise. They were Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali,
Abdur Rahman ibn Awf, Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah, Talhah
ibn Ubaydullah, az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Sa'd ibn Abi
Waqqas, Sa'id ibn Zayd

Asiya ( )
The wife of Fir'aun (Pharaoh). She is one of the four greatest
created females, the other three being:
1. Mariam (Mary), may Allah be pleased with her, the
mother of the Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on him.
2. Khadija ,may Allah be pleased with her, the first wife of
the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant
him peace.
3. Fatima, may Allah be please with her, the daughter of the
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace.

Asma wa Sifaat (Tawheed Al)

Unity of Names and Attributes of Allah Ta'ala. To believe that:

1. None can qualify or name Allah except as He or the
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, named or qualified Him.
2. None can be named or qualified with the Names of the
Attributes that belong only to Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala.
For example, none may be called 'Al-Muhyee" (the
Giver of Life) except for Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala
Himself.

27

3. We must believe in all the Ayat and Ahadeeth (Sahih)

regarding the Attributes of Allah without altering their
meaning in any way whatsoever.

Asmaul Husna (Al)

The ninety-nine Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Ta'ala. It

is haram to add to or delete from the list of Attributes of Allah.
It is also haram to give such attributes to anyone else. For the
full list of al-Asmaul Husna, see Asmaul Husna Al-asmaul
Husna(List).

Assalamu 'Alaikum Peace be on you

"Peace be on you". Greeting of the Muslims. The response to

this greeting is "Wa 'Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatul-lahi wa
Barakatuh", And on you be the Peace and Mercy of Allah and
His Blessings.
Assassins

Assembler

Assent
-
Assignation

Associate

Associates
Astrologist

Astrology

Astronomer

Astronomy -

Atabic The Atabegs

The Atabegs : Atabeg was a Turkish title used by the Seljuks for
members of the court ministers and leaders. Some of the Atabegs
managed to take control of the state leading to the emergence of
the petty states in the 12th century A.D. in Iran and Syria. They

28

ruled for a long period of time, most remarkable among them

were the Atabegs of Azerbaijan and Iran.

Atheist
Athheistic
Atone
Attack

Hujoom ( Onslaught )

Attacker

Attitude

Attributes

Attributes of prefection

Attributes of majesty

Attributes of beauty

Attributes of essence

Attributes ( of god )

Attrition

Augur

Authority

Autocracy

Autocrat

Autonomy

Avarice

Avaricous

Avenge
Avenger
Awakener

( the )

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Award
Aware

( the )

Ayah (pl. ayat)

Ayah means a sign (or 'token') which directs one to something

important. In the Quran the word has been used in four
different senses: (1) sign or indication; (2) the phenomena of
the universe (called ayat of God for the reality to which the
phenomena point is hidden behind the veil of appearances); (3)
miracles performed by the Prophets; and (4) individual units
(i.e. verses) of the Book of God.

Ayoub, Peace be upon him .

Job. A prophet of Islam. He was renowned for his patience,

hence the idiom "Sabr Ayoub" (the patience of Job), which
means complete patience and constancy.See Mursaleen .

'Aziz

The Almighty

1. "Al-'Aziz". The Almighty. One of the ninety-nine

attributes of Allah Ta'ala. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Hajj'
(22):40. See Asmaul Husna LIST????.
2. Title of Egyptian noblemen during the time of the
Pharaohs. Zulaikha was the wife of the 'Aziz who tried,
but failed, to tempt the Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), peace be
on him, into seduction. See Holy Qur' an, Yusuf(12):23 24.

30

B
Ba'ath

In Islamic terminology this means the resurrection of the

Muslims and the Kuffar (unbelievers). The Ba'ath of the Kuffar
(unbelievers) and the subsequent stages leading to the Nar
(Hellfire) is in five stages:
1. The Kuffar will be raised with all their senses being
active, i.e. they will be able to feel, see, hear, smell and
taste.
2. On their way to the place ofjudgement they will still
have their senses active.
3. They will be judged with all their senses intact.
4. On their way to Nar (Hellfire) they will lose all their
senses.
5. When put into the Nar (Hellfire), they will regain all
their senses so as to feel Allah Ta'ala's wrath.

Bab Al-Raiyan

The name of one of the gates of Heavens (Jannah) through

which the people who often observe fasting will enter on the
Day of Judgement.
Backbiting
Backslider

Badiyyah
desert

a desert or semi-arid environment.

31

Badr

Site of the first great battle between the early Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish in 2AH. Badr is located about 150km
south of al-Madinah al-Munawarah. The Muslim army
consisted of 313 men and the Quraish had a total of 1,000
soldiers,archers and horsemen. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Anfal
(8):5-19,42-48, Aali lmran (3):13.
Bad omen

Bail
Bairam

House of Allah

Baitul Ma'amur (Al)

House of Allah over the Seventh Heaven where the Malaikah

(angels) pray.

Baitul Mal

An Islamic treasury

An Islamic treasury intended for the benefit of the Masakeen

(needy Muslims) and not for the leaders or the wealthy.
Balance
Balance of power
Band

Bani Nadheer

A Jewish tribe

A Jewish tribe who lived about three miles south of Madinah

during the time of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant
32

him peace. Four months afier their treachery at the time of the
Battle of Uhud, when they planned to betray the Muslims and
kill the Messemger of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, expelled most of them to
Syria and the rest to Khaibar. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Hashr
(45):26.

Bani Quraiadha

A Jewish tribe

A Jewish tribe from Madinah. Along with the Quraish tribe of

Makkah, they plotted to destroy the Prophet Muharnmad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, by attacking the Mu4ims
from within Madinah at the Battle of the Ditch, but when they
lost they asked to have their fate judged by Sa'd ibn Mu' az (the
chief of the Aus 'the Ansar' tribe) because he used to be their
ally. Sa'd judged them according to their own law, the Taurat
(Torah), and ordered that every male be killed, all their women
be sold as captives and all their belongings be divided amongst
the Muhajirs (Deut. 20:13-14,16). See Holy Qur' an, Al-Ahzab
(33):26-27.

Banner
Baqi

-
A cemetery at Madinah

A cemetery at Madinah. Many of the S ahabiyeen

(companions)of the Prophet Muhammad are buried there, may
the blessing and peace of Allah be on him and his family and
his companions and all who follow him and them.

The Banning Tahreem (Al)

"The Banning". Surah 66 of the Holy Qur' an.

33

Baragaining

Barbarian

Barbarians

Barbarism

Barbarous

Barefooted friars

Baron

Baroness

Barrier

Barter

Bartering

Barzakh

Literally means partition or barrier. In Islamic terminology it

usually means the life in the grave, because the life in the wave
is the interspace between the life on earth and the life in the
Hereafter. Life in the Barzakh is real, but very different from
life as we know it. Its exact nature is known only to Allah
Ta'ala. It is during our life in the Barzakh that we will be asked
about Allah, our faith and the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace. We will also be shown
the Jannah and the Nar (Paradise and Hellfire) and which of
these two places we wifl occupy after we are judged

Base

34

Basmalah

"In the Name of Allah".

1. This statement is usually made by every Muslim who is
about to embark on anything that is Halal (lawful),
however trivial that act or deed may seem.
2. First verse of Suratul Fatiha.
3. To be recited before the beginning of every Surah except
for Suratul Tautah (Surah 9 of the Holy Qur' an).

Bawdy

Bayina (Al)

The Clear Proof

"The Clear Proof,'. Surah 98 of the Holy Qur~ an.

The Beast

Dabaah

1. The Beast. The beast that will come out of the earth and
will speak to man. His appearance will be one of the
major signs of the coming of the Last Day.
2. In general, every living creature that moves on this earth.
See Holy Qur'an, an-Nami (27):82-83.
Bedlam

Behaviour

Being free
Being glorius

belief

'Aqeeda

35

Plural : 'Aqaaid. Literally means belief. In Islamic terminology,

it means articles of faith. There are six articles of faith:
Belief in Allah. We believe:
He is the Lord and Creator of all that
there is.
He is the True God and all other deities
are false.
He is One, and has no associates (sons or
otherwise).
He alone has the knowledge of the
Unseen and of the Hour.
In His Names and Attributes .
He never came down to earth in any shape
or form.

He is Everlasting, He did not beget nor

was He begotten, and He is not like
anything.
His Mala'ikah (angels). We believe:
They are His honoured servants.
They act only by His command.
They are made out of light ( Nur ).
They obey all of Allah's commands.
All angels are good and incapable of
wrong doing. (We do not believe in
the notion of a "fallen angel".)
They may be seen by some men only by
Allah's consent.
His Revealed Books. We believe:
He has sent down books with every
messenger.
The original books of Allah that were
sent to the Prophets Abraham, Moses,
David and Jesus no longer exist in
their original form. We believe only

36

in the original Taurat (Torah), Zaboor

(Psalms) and Ingeel (Gospel).
The Holy Qur'an that was revealed to the
Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, is the only perfect book of
Allah that is free from corruption and
is a true source of light for all
mankind.
His Rusull (Messengers). We believe:
The Messengers of Allah Ta'ala include
Muhammad, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, Abraham, Noah,
Jesus, Moses, peace be on them all.
All messengers are human beings.
Muhammad's message encompasses and
abrogates all the messages of all the
other messengers, since Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, is the last Messenger and the
Holy Qur'an is the Last Message
from Allah before the end of the
world.
Belief in the Day of Judgement. We
believe:
In the Final Day, which is the Day of
Judgement.
There will be no intercessors except by
Allah's leave.
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, will be given
permission to intercede on behalf of
all those who believed in Allah and
the Last Day and who submitted their
will to Him, that is, those who are
37

"Muslims" (Muslim = One who

submits his or her will to Almighty
Allah).
Heaven is for the believers and Hell is
for the rejecters.
Our book of deeds will be given to us in
our right or left hand (to the believers
and unbelievers respectively).
Belief in Fate and the Divine Decree. We
believe:
In fate, whether good or bad, which
Allah has measured and ordained for
all His creatures.
His decree cannot be changed except by
His leave.
Allah has granted man the free will to
choose between good and evil. Thus,
there is no excuse for wrong action in
the sight of Allah Ta'ala.
All that is to happen until the Day of
Judgement is already written down
on the Lauh al-Mahfudh.
O Allah! Let me not die except in Islam, and raise me on the
Day of Judgement only as a Muslim. Ameen!
Believer
Believers

Benediction

Benefaction

Benefactor

Beneficent

38

Beniganant

Bequest

Bestiality

Bestower
Bias

Bier

Bigotry

Bilal

The first Mu'adin of Islam a companion of the Prophet

Muhammad pbuh, a former Abyssinian slave (may Allah be
pleased with him).

Bishop

Bi'thah the beginning of the Prophet's mission

the beginning of the Prophet's mission, his call to Prophethood
in 610 C.E..

Bitter Agag
Blackguard
Blackleg
Blackmail

( Salty water)

39

Black stone

Blasphemer

Blasphemy

Bleeding

Blessings

Barakah

Blood relative

Dhawi al-Arhaam

Bloody

Blowing

Bondsman

Bondswoman

Booty

-

Bounteous

Breanch of trust
Breanch of promise
Bribery
Brigade

Buccaneer

Bukhari

40

Imam Bukhari is known so because he was from Bukhara. He

was a great scholar of Islam and is known for his great work of
scientifically authenticating and compiling Ahadith (Sayings of
Muhammad S). He traveled great distances to find and meet
the narrators of Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad S). He
memorized all the Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad S) he heard
from the narrators. He researched the backgrounds of the entire
chain of narrators of Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad S). He
evolved a scientific system of verification of the Ahadith
(Sayings of Muhammad S). He had memorized more than
200,000 Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad S). His scrutiny of
the Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad S) was so stringent that
only approximately 1% of those Ahadith (Sayings of
Muhammad S) made to his compilation. The compilation of
Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad S) by Imam Bukhari is
considered to be the most authentic one and is known as Sahih
Bukhari

Bumpkin
Buraq

An animal larger than a donkey and smaller than a horse on

which the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, went on the Mi' raj. See Mi'raj .

Bureau of Taxes
Buruj (Al)

The Zodiacal Signs

"The Zodiacal Signs". Surah 85 of the Holy Qur' an. This refers
to the constellations in the heavens themselves, not to the
astrologers' 9star signst.

41

Burying baby girls alive

Burying baby girls alive : One of the customs of Arabs in the

Pre-Islamic period

Byzantines

42

C
Cabal

Cadi
Caeser
Cain

Caliph

khalifah

The title of khalifah or 'Caliph' (literally, 'he who follows'or

'successor') was first assumed by the four immediate successors
to the Prophet Muhammad as temporal leaders of the emerging
Muslim community (known as the Orthodox caliphs). The
rulers of subsequent early Islamic dynasties were also
considered caliphs, with the Abbasid caliphate in Iraq lasting
until 1258/658 H. At the same time, the Fatimid dynasty in
Egypt made rival claims to the caliphate from 909 to 1171
(296-567 H), while in Spain at Cordoba the Umayyad dynasty
also claimed the caliphate from 775 to 1236 (159-633 H). After
1258, the caliphs excercised increasingly diminished authority,
and political power passed to the secular heads of state. See the
article "Khalifa" by D. Sourdel and others in EI (2nd ed.), vol.
4, pp. 937-953.

Caliphate

The rule or institution of the caliph.

43

Calumniate

Calumniator

Calumny
Campaign

Campaigner

Canaan

Canard
Candid
Candidate

Capacious
Capacity
Capital

Captivation
Captive

Captivity Babylonian

Cardinal

Carrion

Caste

Castration
Casuist
Casuistry
Catapult
Cataract
Catastrophy
Catechism

44

Catholic

Catholicism

The Cattle

An'aam (Al)

"The Cattle". Surah 6 of the Holy Qur' an.

Causing

Cavalcade

Cavalier
Cavalry

Cave

The Cave of Hira

'

The Cave of Hira' : Muhammad (peace be upon him) had a

calm nature and a natural tendency to meditation . He used to
seclude himself in the Cave of Hira' to practice self-purification
and ponder over the creation around him.

The Cave of Thaur

The Cave of Thaur : It is the cave in which the Prophet (peace

be upon him) and his companion Abu Bakr stopped to take
shelter from the polytheists during the Hijrah journey from
Mecca to Medina.
Certainly
Chamberlain
Chambermaid

45

Champion

Chancel
-
Charitable
-
Charity
-
Charlatan
-
Chary

Chaste

Chastity
-
Chauvinism

Chauvinist

Chief

Chief judge

Chosen of god

Christian

Chronicle
- -
Chronicler

Circumambulating

Circumcision

Citadel

Citizen

The City

Balad

"The City" of Makkah. Surah 90 of the Holy Qur' an.

City state

Civil

Civil war

Civilization
-
Civilized

Clairvoyance

Clan

The Clans

Ahzab (Al)

46

"The Clans". A famous battle between the early Muslims and

the rejectors, in which the Muslims, under the direction of
Salman al-Farisi, dug a trench around the city of al-Madinah
al-Munawarah to thwart the advance of the unbelievers in 5
AH. The battle is also known as the Battle of the Khandaq
(Battle of the Trench). See Holy Qur' an, An-Nur (24):55, AlAhzab (33):9-20. Surah 33 of the Holy Qur'an.
Class socity
Cleavage

The Cleaving

Al-infitar

"The Cleaving". See Surah 82 of the Holy Qur~ an.

Clerk
Cloister
Closet

The clot of blood

'Alaq

"The clot of blood". Also called Surat Iqraa. Ayat (verses) 1-5
of this surah were the first five verses revealed to Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They were revealed
to him through the Holy Spirit, the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel),
peace be on him, in the Ghar Hiraa (Cave of Hiraa) in Jabal anNur. See Surah 96 of the Holy Qur' an.
Coalition

Code

Codex
-
Codification
-
Coercion

Coffin

Cogitation

Cognition

47

Cognomen
-
Cohesion

Cohort
-
Coin

Collectedness

Collecting mosque

Colloquy
-
Colonial

Colonist

Colonization

Colonnade

Colony

Combat
-
Combatant
-
Combination
-
Command

Commander

Commanding Soul

Commandment

Commando

Commemoration

Commentary

Tafsir

A commentary. There are several reliable Tafsirs on the

meanings of the Ayaat of the Qur'an, including those of Ibn
Kathir, Jalalayn and Al-Cortubi.
Commission
-
Commitment

Committee - -
Commonweal

Commonwealth
-
Communicating

Communion

48

Community

Commutation
Compact

Companion Sahabi

-
-

Companion, particularly any companion of the Holy Prophet

Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Plural:
Sahabiyeen.

Companion
Companions

Companion Of The Cave

Companion Of Elephant

Compassion
-
Competition

Complacence
-

Compilation of the Holy Qur'an

Compilation of the Holy Qur'an : 653 Caliph `Uthman orders

the standardization of Qur'anic recitation according to that of
the Quraish. He sends copies of the standard Mushaf to
provinces of the Muslim empire (32 A.H.)
Complaint

Complaisant

Compromise

Compulsion

Compulsory

Compunction

Comulation

49

Conation

Concession

Conciliation

Conclave

Concord

Concububine

Condemnation

Condisciple
Conditions

Condonation
Confederacy

-
-

Confederates Al-Ahzb
Conference

Confession

Confessionist

Confessors
Confidence
Confident
Confiscation
Conflict
Confrontation
Confutation
Congealed Blood
Congregation

- -
-
-

Congregational Prayers

- -

50

Congress

Connexion

Conquer

Conquest

The Conquest of Mecca

The Conquest of Mecca : Muslims conquered Mecca in 8
.A.H./630 A.D
Conscience

Consensus Of Opinion

Consensus Omnium

Consent

Consequence

Conservatory

Conspicuous

Conspiracy
Constant

Consols

Constancy

Consternation

Constituent

Constitution

Consultation
Contemplation
Contemplative Science

51


-

Content
Contention

-

Continence

Continuance

Contradictory

Contravention

Contract

Contraction

Contradiction

Contradistinct

Contrast

Contribution

-

Contumacious

Contumacy
conundrum

Controversial
Controversy

Contrivance

Contest

convenance

Convenant

Convenience
Convent

-
- -

52

Convention
Convergings

Converser

Converser of god

Convert
Convict

Conviction
Conviction of truth

-

Convocation

Convincing

Convulsion
Co-operation

Copartner

- -

Copiousness
Copt

Coptic

-
-
-
-

Copyist
Cororation

Correctitude

Corroboration

Corruption

- -

Corsair

Cortege
Cosmos

Cot

Council

Councilor

53

Counsel

Counselor

- -

Countenancer
Counter

the

Countermand

Courageous
Court

Courage

- -

"The coursers".

'Adiat (Al )

"The coursers". "Coursers" refer to war horses when they

charge, stamp their hooves, breathe heavily and snort in the
course of the confusion of battle. Surah 100 of the Holy Qur'an.
Courteous

Courtesy

Courtyard

-

Covered

Covering

- -

Coy

Crackbrain

Cradle

Creation

Creator

Creatures

54

Credence

Credendum

Creditable

Credulous

Creed

Crescentade

Crier

Crime

Criminal

Crisis

Cross

Crowd

Crown

Crown prince

Crucifixion

Cruel

Cruelty

Crusade

Crusaders

Culmination

Cult

Cult ancestor

Culture

Curate

Curmudgeon

55

Custodian

Custody

Custom

Customs

Czar

Czarina

D
Dahr (Ad)

The Time

"The Time". Another name for Suratul Insan. Surah 76 of the

Holy Qur'an. Ad-Dahr indicates the space/time continuum.

Dajjal(Ad)

Anti-Christ

Anti-Christ. Also known as Maseeh ad-Dajjal. See Ahadeeth

regarding "the Final Hour" in both Sahih books. Sahih Bukhari,
Hadith 649, 650, Vol.4. Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Fitan wa
Isharat as-Say'ah.

Dark ages
Darkness

Dhulumaat

56

Darkness. In the sense of lurking danger. See Holy Qur' an, AlAn'aam (6):63. This is where the word Dhulm (injustice) is
derived, for injustice in whatever form is an evil darkness.
Dash
Dawn

Dawood , (Peace be upon him)

David. A prophet of Islam. The prophet to whom the Zabour

was revealed, and who fought Jalut (Goliath) and killed him.
See Holy Qur'an, Saad (38):17-26. See Mursaleen.
Daybreak

Day of assembly

Day of eternity

Day of exodus

Day of gathering

Day of judgment

Day of meeting

Day of resurrection

Day of sacrifice

Day of threatening

Daybreak
Deadly
Dearth

-
57

Debating

Debauching

Debenture

Death

Deceitless

Ghayy

Deception

Deception. Name of a pit in Hellfire.

-

Deception

- -

Declaration
Declaration of war

Deeds

Default

Defenes
Defiance
Defrauding

Defeat

Deign
Delegate

Delegating

Deliverance

58

Deluge

Demanding

Dementia

Democratism
Demolishment

Demon

Demonstration

Denomination
Denominationalism

Denotation

Denying

Deposed

Depravation
Deprecate

Deprecating

Deputation

Deputy

Deputies

Derangement

-

59

Deray
Derision

Descendant

Descendants

Desecration

Desideration

Designation

-
-

Desolateness

Desolation

Despair

Dispatch

Desire

Desperation

Despoiling

- -

Despoilment

Despondent

Despotism

Destination

-
-

-

60

Despot

Destinism
Destiny
Destroyer
Destruction

Detention

Deterioration

Determinism

Detestation
Devastation
Development
Deviance
Deviation
Devil
Devoutness

Dhimmi

- -

A non-Muslim

A non-Muslim living under the protection of Islamic rule.

Dhul-Kifl

Dhul-Kifl A (Ezekiel) was a Rasul (Messenger) of Allah (God).

He is mentioned at several places in the Holy Qur-an (21:8586; 38:48). Dhul-Kifl A (Ezekiel) was a Rasul (Messenger) sent
to the Israelites. He commanded them to wage a war against
the mischievous people, but they refused it for the fear of
death. Allah (God) punished them with death by a plague and
huge blasts. No one amongst them remained alive to even bury
the dead. Dhul-Kifl A (Ezekiel) was praying to Allah (God) in
seclusion for giving Hidayah (Guidance) to his people. When
he came out, he saw the putrefied bodies of his followers.
Although his people disobeyed him, he was deeply aggrieved
by their fate. He made Dua (Supplication) to Allah (God) to
61

give their lives back to them. Allah (God) listened to his

request and brought the followers of Dhul-Kifl A (Ezekiel)
back to life (The Holy Qur-an 2:280). Muslims believe in
Dhul-Kifl A (Ezekiel) and all other Rusul (Messengers) of
Allah (God).

Dhulm

injustice

Usually wrongly spelled as Zulm. It means injustice, harm,

wrongdoing or transgression either against oneself or someone
else.
1. Against oneself. Doing deeds or saying words which will
bring the displeasure of Allah Ta'ala. These deeds may
be physical or spiritual that will ultimately harm the
soul.
2. Against others. In any form whatsoever, whether they he
physical or mental. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2)35.
Its opposite is Nur, light. See Nur.

Dhu'l Qarnain
One of the greatest rulers of ancient history. He was a true
believer in Allah Ta'ala. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Kahf(18):83.
ialectic
Dictator
Dictatorship
Differing

Diffidence
Diffident

62

Dilapidation

Dilatation

Diluvium

Director

Dirham A silver coin

Dirt

Disabused

-
-

Dignity

Disaffirmation
Disagreement

-
- -
-

Disaster
Disbelief
Disceptation

Disciple

Discipline

-

Discomfited
Discomposure

Discord Shiqaaq

Discreation
-
- -

63

Discrimination

Disculpation

Disfiguration
Dishonest

Dishonesty

Disloyalty

Dismissal

Disobedience

Disorganization
Dispiteous

Disposition

Dispositional

Dispute

Dissemble

Dissimulator

Dissocial

Dissolute

Dissuasion

Distingction

Distinguished
Distrust

Disturbance
Disunionism

Ditch

Divided

Dividing
Divination

64

Divine

Divine assistance

Divine justice

Divine names

Divine omnipotence
Divine providence

Divine right

Divine saying
Divinity

Divorcement

Diya

Blood money

Blood money, paid as compensation for killing, wounding, etc.

Plural: Diyaat.
Doctrine
Dogmatism
Doleful
Dolt

Domains

Domesday

Domesticity

Dominance
Dominant

65

Domination

Dominion

Doomsday

Doubt

Doxy

Dread

Drive

Forenoon

Duha (Ad)

"Forenoon": The mid-morning hours. Surah 93 of the Holy

Qur'an.

Dukhan

The Smoke

"The Smoke". Surah 44 of the Holy Qur'an. One of the signs of

the proximity of the Last Day.
Duties
Dwelling
Dwelling of peace
Dynasty

-

66

(The) Earthquake

Zalzalah

"The Earthquake". One of the names of the Yaum al-Qiama.

See Surah 99 of the Holy Qur'an.
Eagar

Eagerness

Eblis

- -

Effacement

Effect

Effection

Efficiency
Egging

Eid

Edict
Efface

- -

-

a festivity

The word 'Eid is an Arabic name to mean a festivity, a

celebration, a recurring happiness, and a feast. In Islam, there
are two major 'Eids namely the feast of Ramadhan ('EId AlFitr) and the Feast of Sacrifice ('Eid Al-Adhha). The first 'Eid is
celebrated by Muslims after fasting the month of Ramadhan as
a matter of thanks and gratitude to Almighty Allah. It takes
place on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the lunar
calendar. The second 'Eid is the Feast of Sacrifice and it is to be
celebrated for the memory of prophet Ibrahim trying to
sacrifice his son Isma'il (Ishmael). This 'Eid lasts four days
between the tenth and the thirteenth day of Zul-Hijjah, the
twelfth month of the lunar calendar.
67

Eid Al-Adha

A four-day festival that completes the rites of pilgrimage and

takes place on the 10th-13th of DhuI Hijjah(the 10th is the day
of Nahr and 11th-13th are the days of Tashriq). Literally means
"the feast of the sacrifice". This feast commemorates the
Prophet Ibrahim's obedience to Allah by being prepared to
sacrifice his only son Ismael, peace be on both of them. See
Holy Qur' an, As-Saffaat (37)~1OO-1O3.

Eid Al-Fitr

Three-day festival marking the end of Ramadan. It takes place

on the 1st of Shawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

Amr Bill Ma' roof Enjoining the good

Enjoining the good. The full version is "Amr bill Ma'roofwa

nahi 'anil Munkar", (enjoining the good and forbidding the
evil).
Ejaculation

Elect

Elegy

Elementalism
Elevation
Elite
Eloquence

-
-

68

Embassador

Embattle

Ember

Emblem

Emblement

Embrace

Emendator

Emergent-year

Emigrant

Emigration
Emissary

Emission

- -

Emperor

Empery

Empire

-

Emptiness

- -

69

Empress

Emulation
Enactment
Enchanting

Encouragement

Encroachment

-

Endemic
Ending

Endowment

Waqf

Endowment. A charitable trust in the Name of Allah, usually in

perpetuity, and usually for the purposes of establishing the
Deen of Islam, teaching useful knowledge, feeding the poor or
treating the sick.
Endowment

Enduring

Enfolded

Enforcement

Enfranchisement

Enhancement

Enricher

Enslavement
Enthrallment
Enthusiasm
Enticement
Entreatment

-
-

Entreaty

70

 Entrenchment
Enucleator
Envious

Envoy

- -

Envy
Enwraped
Epilogue

Equality
Equitable

- -

Equitation

Equity

Equivalent

Era

Eraser

Erasing

--

Eremite

Erect

Eristic-

Erantry

Eroneously
Eroneousnes

71

Error

Esop
Esoteric

Esperance

Espionage -
Esponsal -

Esprit
Esse -
Essential

Established

Establishment - -
Esteem

- -

Estovers

Estrangement -
Eternal

Eternity (Infinit)
Ethics

Abd

Etiology

Evaluation
Evanescent

Evangelization

Eve

Hawwa

Eve, wife of Adam, peace be on them. She bore many children.

Every time she gave birth, they were twins, one male and one
72

female. Each twin married the twin of the other. The two most
famous of her offspring were Habil (Abel) and Qaabil (Cain).
Event -

Everlasting - Evidence

- -

Evident
Evil -
Evolution

Exact

Exacting

Exaction

Exaltation
Exalted

Exalter

Excaudate
Exclamation
Exculpation -

Excuse

Execution

Executor
Exegesis
Exegeste

Exemption -

73

 Exertion
- -
-

Exile

Exilement
-

ExistenceExorbitance
Exorcism
Expanding

- -

Expansion

-

Expatriation

Expedition

Expending

Expensive
Experiment

Expiable

Expiation
Explaining
-

Exploit
Exploitation

Exponent
Expositiopn

Expostulation Expounder

74

Expugnance

 - Expugner

Expurgation
Extension

- -

Extinction

Extravagance
Extravagant

Extrusion

Eyewitnes

F
Fa
Fable
Facilitation
- Facility
Facing

- -
75

Faction
Factor

Faculty

acultie

Fad

Fade

Fai
War booty gained without fighting.
Failure
Fairy -

Fairyism

Iman

faith

Trust, faith and acceptance. Having faith and believing in:

Allah Ta'ala. To affirm with the tongue, believe in the
heart and confirm through action the following:
His Existence.
His Lordship.
His Worship.
His Names and Attributes.
Belief in His angels.
Belief in His revealed Books.
Belief in His messengers, without making any
distinction between them.
Belief in the Hour and the Judgement and the Fire
and the Garden.
Belief in the Divine decrees of Allah Ta'ala, both the
good and the evil. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara
(2):285. See Mursaleen .

76

Faithful
Faithful

the

Faithful spirit
Faithfulness -

The Dawn

Fajr (Al)

"The Dawn". The time of the first obligatory Salat (Prayer). It

can be prayed at any time between the first light of dawn and
just before sunrise. Also called Subh (morning).Surah 89 of the
Holy Qur'an.

Falaah

Success

Success. Real success lies in "enjoining what is right and

forbidding what is evil..." (Surah Aali Imran (3):104). One of
the sentences that is said during the Adhan and Iqama, "Haya
'alal Falaah" (Come to Success). Other derivations: Muflih =
the person who is successful, the person whose deeds and
actions have gained Allah Ta'ala's pleasure. See Holy Qur'an,
Surah Al-Baqara (2): 1-5. See Aflaha: He has succeeded.

Falaq (Al)

The Daybreak

"The Daybreak" Surah 113 of the Holy Qur'an.

False Falsehearted
Falshod
Falsity Fame -

77

The family of 'Imran Aali 'Imran

. 'Imran was the father of Mariam, the mother of the
Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on them.
Fanal
Fanaticism
Fancy

Faqeeh

An Islamic scholar who can give an authoritative legal opinion

or judgement.

Fard 'Ain

An action which is obligatory on every Muslim.

Fard Al-Kifaya

Collective duty

Collective duty. A duty on all the community; but if it is

fulfilled by a part of that community then the rest are not
obliged to fulfill it.
Fare
Farewell

Faridha

A duty

A duty enjoined on all Muslims. Plural: Fara'idh.

Farsakh

League

League; about three miles.

78

Faruq

This was the name given to Umar ibn Al-Khattab. It means

'One who distinguishes the truth from falsehood'.
Fascination
Fash

Fasting

Seeaam

Fasting, from food and drink - and from sexual intercourse if

you are married during daylight, from the first light of dawn
until sunset. Also spelled as Saum. Fasting in the month of
Ramadan is one of the Arkan (five pillars) of Islam. Allah Ta'
ala has made it obligatory on every Muslim whether man or
woman, with the exception of:
1. A person who is ill.
2. A person on ajourney of 16 Farsakhs (48 miles) or more.
3. A woman who is menstruating or who has just given
birth. Once these situations no longer apply, the missed
days must be compensated. The very young are
exempted.The aged should fast, but if they find it
difficult then they too are exempted and may feed poor
people instead. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):184-185,
187.

Fatalism
Fatality
Fate -

Fated

79

The Victory

Fath (Al)

"The Victory". Surah 48 of the Holy Qur'an.

Fatiha

The Opening Chapter

"The Opening Chapter". Another name for Suratul-Hamd.

Surah 1 of the Holy Qur'an.

Fat'han Mubeena

Manifest Victory

"Manifest Victory". The manifest victory that is referred to here

is the peace treaty of Hudaibiyah. It was one of the greatest
victories which the newly-born Islamic Ummah (nation)
gained. On face value it seemed like a great setback for the
Muslims, but in fact it was, by the will of Allah Ta'ala, one of
the main means by which the Muslims consolidated and grew.
See Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Fath (48).

Fatima May Allah be pleased with her

Daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless

him and grant him peace. She is one of the four greatest
women ever created by Allah Ta'ala. The other three are:
1. Mariam (Mary), Mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be
on him.
2. Asiya, the wife of Fir'aun (Pharaoh).
3. Khadija ,may Allah be pleased with her, the first wife of
the Prophet Muhammad, may the blessing of Allah be on
him and on all his wives and family.

The Fatimids (909-1171 A.D.)

The Fatimids are traced back to `Ali bin Abi Talib and his wife,
Fatimah. This state was established by `Ubaidullah Al-Mahdi

80

in Tunisia. It witnessed 14 caliphs, and reached its utmost

expansion during the era of Al-Mu`izz, who annexed North
Africa to his state and sent Jauhar Al-Siqilli, his commanderin-chief, to occupy Egypt. Jauhar established Cairo which later
became the state capital to which Al-Mu`izz moved and
extended his influence over Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The
last caliph was Al-`Adid whose ministry was led by Salah AlDin Al-Ayyubi, who eventually precipitated the fall of the
Fatimid state. The most notable architectural and cultural
achievements were the establishment of Cairo and the
construction of Al-Azhar Mosque.

The Creator

Fatir (Al)

"The Creator". Also another name for aI-Malaikah. Surah 35 of

the Holy Qur'an.

Fatwa

A legal verdict

A legal verdict given on a religious basis. the sources on which

a fatwa is based are the Holy Qur'an, Sahih Bukhari and
Muslim, and all other authenticated Ahadeeth.
Fault

Favonian

Favor

Favorite
Fawn
Fawner
Fay

81

Feal
Fealty

Fear

Feast
Feast of sacrifice
Feast
Federacy
Federal

Fellow

Felon

Female infanticide
Festival
Fetters Chains

Feud

Feudalism
Feudalist
Fiction

Fidelity
Fiducial -

Fidya

Compensation for missing or wrongly practising necessary acts

of worship. Fidya usually takes the form of donating money or
foodstuffs or sacrificing an animal. Contrast with Kaffara
(making amends). See Kaffara.
Filiation

82

Finder the
Fines

Fiqh

Islamic Law.

Fir'aun

Pharaoh

Pharaoh. Tide of the Ancient Egyptian rulers, particularly the

one who rejected the Prophet Musa (Moses), peace he on him,
and tried to have him killed. They were famous for their cruelty
and disbelief. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):49, Ta Ha (20):980, Al-Qasas(28):1-42, Al-Fajr(89):1O-14.

Firdaus

Paradise

The middle and the highest part of the Jannah (Paradise).

Fitna
This has various meanings, depending on its context in the
sentence:
1. Oppression or tumult, as in Surah Al-Baqara (2):]93.
2. Trial or punishment, as in Surah Al-Maida (5):74.
3. Trial or temptation, as in Surah Al-Anfal (8):28.
4. It can also mean causing discord between Muslims, or
sedition.

Firm

Fitrah

The fitrah is the natural disposition of every human being,

which is to believe in Allah alone without any partners. The
Messenger (saw) said, Each one of you is born on the fitrah; it
is your parents who make you Jews, Christians and fire
worshippers.

83

Every person is born Muslim, believing in God. However,

when a person starts to follow his desires and false deities, his
fitrah will become polluted.
Five foundation of islam

Fixation
Flame -
Fling
Flirt

Flock

Fog
Foible
Folk
Folkway

Followed
Foolery -
Folhardy -
Foppish
Forbearer

Forbiddance -
Forbidden

Force
Forced -
Forcefulness

Forcible
-
Forcing
Foredoom
Forefather

Foreknowledge

Forestaller

84

Forewarner

Forewarner : One who warns sinful people against the

imminent punishment of Allah
Forfeiture -
Forgery
Forgive
Forgiveness

Forgiver

Forgiving
-
Formal -
Formidable

Fornicator

Fornication
-
Forray
-
Fort
Fortification

Fortresses

Fortunetelling
Fosterage

Foundation

Foundling

framer
-
Frank

Franks

Frantic
-
Fraternity

85

Fraternization

Fraternization : The Prophet (peace be upon him) established

brotherly ties between the Muhajirun and the Ansar
Fraud

Freak
Frebooty

- -

Freedom
Fremescence

Frenzy

Frightened

Frustration

Fugitation
Fundamentalism

Furqaan (Al)

The Criterion

"The Criterion". Another name of the Holy Qur'an. Surah 25 of

the Holy Qur'an.
Fury

Fussilat (Al)

"They are expounded." Another name for Ha Mim and AsSajda. Surah 41 of the Holy Qur'an.

G
86

Gabriel
Gaby

Gage

Gain

Gainsaying
Galen
Gallant

Game
Gang

Garrison

Gayness
Geneology

Nasab

It means lineage or geneology.

Generality

Generation

Generosity

Generous the

Gens

Gentility -

Gentle

Genuflect

Genuflection
87

Ghazi

Ghazwa

A holy battle

A holy battle for the cause of Allah the Almighty in which the
Prophet Muhammad himself, may Allah bless him and grant
him peace, took part. Nural: al-Maghazi or Ghazawat.

Gheeba

Talking evil about someone in his or her absence. Backbiting.

See Holy Qur'an, Al-Hujurat (49):12.
Gideon
Gift

Gif

Gimp

Given

Giver -

Glaring

Glorification

-
-

Glorious
Glory
Glory be to him

Glossarist

Glow

Gluttonousness
Gnathonic
Gnome

-
-
88

Gnosis

God

God willing

Godfearing

Godhead

Godship

Godward

Gog and magog

Gollath

Samaritan

Gospel

Govern

Governable

Gothic
Gourd tree

Government

Governor

Grace
Grace of god

Gracious the

-
- -
-

89

Goth

Gradation
Graith
Grand

Grandeur

Grant

Grasp
Gratuity

-

Grave sins

Grave
Graveyard
Great

Greatness

Great sin

Greed

Greek fire

Greeks

-

Greeting
Greetings

the

Grievance

- -

90

Grieving

Grim
Grossness
Grotto
Grouch

Grounding
Grove
Grudge

Grumble

- Guard

Guarded
Guardian the
Guardianship
Guerdon

-

Guidance the

-
-

Guide

Guidance
Guile
Guilelessness

Guilt

-

Guiltless

- -

Guilty

-

Guiltiness
Gushness

91

tradition

Habit
Hadith

A saying or tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah

bless him and grant him peace. Plural: Ahadeeth.

Hadith-Qudsi

A saying of Allah Ta'ala narrated by the Holy Prophet

Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that is
not part of the Holy Qur'an.
Hadj

Hadji

Hafiz

Hafsa , May Allah be pleased with her

Daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with

him, and wife of Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of
Allah be on him and his family and his companions.

Hagar

Hajar Al-aswad (Al)

'Black Stone'

The 'Black Stone', a stone which some say fell from heaven, set
into one corner of the Ka'aba in Makka by the Prophet Ibrahim
(Abraham), peace be upon him, which the pilgrims, in
imitation of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, kiss, so unifying all the Muslims throughout
the ages in one place.

Hajj (Al)

The Pilgrimage

"The Pilgrimage", which commences on the 8th of Dhu'lHijjah. There are three types of Hajj:
92

1. Hajjat-Tamata'a (interrupted). Umra followed by Hajj,

but taking off the Ihram in between these two stages.
2. Hajj al-Qiran (combined). Umra then Hajj without
taking off the Ihram.
3. Hajj al-Ifrad (single). Hajj without Umra. A pilgrimage
to Makkah in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar
is also known as Hajj al-Ifrad. The performance of Hajj
consists of ten steps:
1. Put on the Ihram at the appointed station, then
recite the Talbiyah. Recitation is done aloud by
men and quietly by women. Depending on what
type of Hajj you are doing, perform the necessary
rites at the Ka'aba on arrival in Makkah.
SeeTalbiya.
2. Go to Mina (on the 8th of the month). Pray the
Duhr, 'Asr, Maghreb, Isha and Fajr prayers at their
proper times, but shortening the four Rak'at to
two, as if doing travelling prayers.
3. When the sun rises (on the 9th of the month), go
to 'Arafat and combine the Duhr and 'Asr Salat.
4. After the sun sets, go to al-Muzdallifa, reciting the
Talbiyah. Combine the Maghreb and the 'Isha
Salat. After the Fajr prayer, raise your hands and
do Du'a. (After midnight, women and the weak
may proceed to Mina if they wish.)
5. In Muzdallifa (or Mina), pick up small stones
(either 49 or 70) to throw at the Jamra (stone
pillars) of 'Aqaba.
6. Go to Mina (on the 10th of the month);
Throw seven stones, one stone at a time, at
the largest of the three Jamras (the stone
pillars that represent Shaitan).
Sacrifice your animal. You must eat some of
its meat, but give the bulk of it to the poor
and hungry. (Do this step only if it is
93

required of you. It is not required for Hajj

al-Ifrad. If you are doing either of the other
two types of Hajj, but cannot afford an
animal, then fast three days after you first
put on Ihram and seven days after you have
returned home.)
Shave your head. Women only need to cut
off a lock of hair. The rules of Ihram are
now lifted, except for sexual intercourse
with one's spouse.
7. Go to Makkah and do Tawaf al-Ifada. Go to the
hills of Safa and Marwa and do Sa'i. Now the
rules of Ihram are completely lifted.
8. Return to Mina and stay there for the remainder of
the 10th and on the 11th, 12th and the 13th. (You
may, if you wish, leave Mina after Asr on the 12th
or after Asr on the 13th. You must leave Mina
before the sun sets.)
9. Each day, stone each of the three Jamras (the stone
pillars) with seven pebbles.
10.If you wish to return home, you must do the Tawaf
al-Wida'. No-one is excused, except for
menstruating women or women in the period of
discharge after childbirth. See Tawaf al-Wida. See
Surah 22 of the Holy Qur'an. Performing the Hajj
if you are able is one of the Arkan of Isla

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Hajj-al-wida' The last farewell Hajj

The last farewell Hajj of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, before his death. During that Hajj,
Muhammad gave an immortal Khutba called "Khutbatul
Wida". This sermon is still remembered word for word, for it
confirmed that the Deen of Islam had been completed,
transmitted and established by the Messenger of Allah, may the
blessings and peace of Allah be on him and his family and his
companions and all who follow him in what they are able, with
sincerity, until the Last Day.
Hakeem
Hakim

Halqah

A group of students involved in the study of Islam.

Hanbali

One of the main schools of thought in Islam, founded by

Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d. 855 A.C.), a famous scholar of fiqh.
Hanging

Hanifi

One of the main schools of thought in Islam, founded by Abu

Hanifah (d. 767 a.c.), a famous scholar of fiqh.

Haman

Minister of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) who tried to have all the newborn

babies killed at the time when the Prophet Musa (Moses),
peace be on him, was born.

95

Hannah, May Allah be pleased with her

Grandmother of the Prophet Isa (Jesus, Son of Mary), peace be

on them, and wife of 'Imran, may Allah be pleased with him.
Since the Prophet isa had maternal grandparents, how can the
Christians claim him to be Allah? Since Allah is the Creator of
all that there is, and was not created, do the Christians claim
that Allah has a family tree? (Since they acknowledge the
immaculate conception and the virgin birth, why do they trace
the lineage of Jesus through Joseph the carpenter? See
Matthew 1:6-16, Luke 3:23-31,) Glory be to Allah, the Most
High. Cursed are those who ascribe partners to Him. The
punishment of Hellfire awaits those who do not desist from this
blasphemy.
Happening

Haram

1. Any act or deed which is prohibited by Allah and will

incur His wrath and punishment. See Ahkam.
2. Sanctuary or boundary of any Masjid (mosque), but
usually used with regard to the sanctuaries of the Masjid
al-Ha ram in Makkah and Masjid al-Rasool, may Allah
give him light and peace in his grave, in Madinah. This
is why they are referred to as "AI-Haramain alShariffain", the two Holy Sanctuaries.

Haramain al sharifain (AL)

"The two Holy Sanctuaries". The sanctuary of the Ka'ba at

Makkah and the sanctuary of al-Masjid al-Rasool, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, in Madinah.

96

Harbinger

Haroon, peace be upon him

Aaron. A prophet of Islam. He was the brother of the Prophet

Musa (Moses), peace be on them. See Holy Qur' an, Ta Ha
(20);29-36, 90-94.
Harsh

Haruspex

Harut and marut

Two angels who, by the permission of Allah Ta'ala, taught

magic to the people of Babylon. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Baqara
(2):102.

Hasad

Jealousy

Jealousy. Hasad is forbidden in Islam, except for two specific

reasons:
1. Being jealous of a person for memorizing the Holy
Qur'an by heart.
2. Being jealous of a wealthy person for expending his
wealth in the path of Allah Ta'ala.

Hashr (Al)

The Exile

1. "The Exile". Surah 59 of the Holy Qur'an.

2. Another name for the Day of Judgement, Yaumal-Hashr,
"Day of the Gathering".
Hateful
Hate

- -

97

Hawazin

A Quraishi tribe. An Arabian tribe that always gave trouble to

the new-born Islamic nation before their conversion to Islam.
Hazard

Headship

Headstrong

Hradstrongness
Hearer

Hearsay

Heartburning

Heatben

Heathenishness

Heathenism

Heaven

Samaa

Heaven. In the sense of 'sky'. "Sab'a Samawat" - Seven

Heavens. Plural: Samawat.
Heaven
Heavely

heavenly decrees
Hebrew
Hector

98

Hegemony

Hegira
Heir

Heir apparent
Heirdom

Hell

Helotry
Help

-

Helpers
Helpful
Heracles
Herald
Herdsaman

(The) Hereafter

Akhira

(After-Life, Hereafter, Next World). the term embraces the

following ideas.
That the present order of existence will some day come to an
end
That when that happens,God will bring another order into
being in which He will resurrect all human beings, gather them
together and examine their conduct, and reward them with
justice and mercy.
That those who are reckoned good will be sent to Paradise
whereas the evil-doers will be consigned to Hell.
That the real measure of success or failure of a person is not
the extent of his prosperity in the present life, but his success in
the Next.
99

Heresiarchy

Heritage

Hermit

Hermitage

Hero

Heterodoxy

Highbred

Hijab

veil

Any kind of veil - it could be a curtain, a facial veil, etc. The

facial Hijab is divided into two types:
1. Niqab = full facial covering.
2. Khimar = partial facial covering, i.e. it covers the face,
but leaves the eyes exposed. It is said that the Universe
is what veils the Creator from the creation. If you find
the veil awe-inspiring, how much more awe-ins piring is
the One behind the veil!

Hijaz

The region along the western seaboard of Arabia, in which

Makka, Medina, Jeddah and Ta'if are situated.

Hijr (Al)

"Al-Hijr". Name of a rocky place and its people. Surah 15 of

the Holy Qur'an.

Hijra

Migration

100

Migration in the path of Allah.

Hijri

Name of the Islamic lunar calendar. It took its name from the
early Muslims who migrated from Makkah to Madinah, and
commences from the date of the Prophet Muhammad's Hijra,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, which he made with
Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, in
622AC. The months of the Islamic calendar are:
1 - Muharram
2 - Safar
3 - Rabi'i al-Awal.
4 - Rabi'i al-Akhira.
5 - Jumada al-Awal.
6 - Jumada al-Akhira.
7 - Rajab
8 - Sha'ban.
9 - Ramadan
10 - Shawal
11- Dhul Qi'da.
12 - Dhul Hijjah

The Hijri Calendar

637 The Hijri Calendar : 637 The reign of Caliph `Umar bin
Al-Khattab witnesses the beginning of dating the Muslim era
from the first day of the lunar year in which the Hijrah took
place (16 A.H.)

Hira
A famous cave in the Jabal an-Nur in Makkah where
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, first
received the Divine Message through the Holy Spirit, the Angel
Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be on him.

Hizb

Party

Party. Allah Ta'ala divides all the parties into two groups:
"Hizb Allah" (the Party of Allah ) and "Hizbal-Shaitan" (the
Party of Satan). It is irrelevant to Allah how one labels one's
party, whether it be "Democratic Party", "Labour

101

Party","Communist Party" or whatever. All that matters is

whether or not it follows the path of Allah Ta'ala.

Hisba

. Office of accounting or public inspection. See muhtasib.

Historian
History

Hitch

Hoard

Hold

Holies

-

Holocaust

Holy

Holy city

Homage

Homilist

Homily

Honest

Honesty -
Honor

Honourableness

Hooriyah

A female virgin

102

A female virgin created by Allah Ta'ala, but not a descendant of

Adam, peace be on him. She is created in Jannah (Paradise)and
is the perfect companion of man in the Akhira (Hereafter). Her
beauty is insurpassable and unimaginable. She has intensely
black irises and the whites of her eyes are pure white. Also
spelled as Houriah. Plural: Hooriyat.
Horror
Horse

Horsemanship
Hospitality
Hostel
Hostile

Houd, peace be upon him

A prophet sent to the Tribe of 'Ad. See Mursaleen. See 'Ad.

Surah 11 of the Holy Qur' an.

Hubal

Hubal : An idol worshipped in Mecca in the Pre-Islamic period

Hudaibiya (Al)
A famous plain ten miles from Makkah on the way to Jeddah.
Site of the peace pact between the Muslims and the pagan
Quraish in the year 6AH. This treaty paved the way for the
spread of Islam. Surat al-Fath (Surah 48 of the Holy Qur'an)

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cmmemorates this victorious event. Allah Ta'ala called it

"Fathan Mubeena" (a Manifest Victory). See Holy Qur'an, AIFath (48):1-4.
Huge

Hujjaj

Pilgrims

Pilgrims. Persons who have been on pilgrimage to Makkah

during the Hajj season in the month of Dhul Hijjah. Singular:
Haj = a male pilgrim, Hajah = a female pilgrim.

The Apartments

Hujurat (Al)

"The Apartments". Surah 49 of the Holy Qur'an.

Human

Humanism

Humaza (Al)

The Scandalmonger

"The Scandalmonger". Surah 104 of the Holy Qur'n.

Humility

Hunain

Valley on the road from Makkah to Taif. Site of a famous battle

that took place immediately after the conquest of Makkah in
8AH, between the Muslim army consisting of about 10,0002,000 men and the combined forces of the Hawazin and
104

Thaqeef which amounted to 4,000 men. After a surprise attack

and a near defeat, the Muslims managed to completely crush
the enemy. See Holy Qur' an, At-Taubah ( 9):24-25.
Hungriness
Hurt

Hutama

The seventh and deepest level of the Nar (Hellfire). This is

where the religious hypocrites will spend eternity. The worst of
Allah's creation are the Munafiqeen (hypocrites), whether they
be mankind or Jinn, because they 'accept' Allah and His
Messenger with their tongues, but deny this 'acceptance' by
their actions. See Jahanam.
Hypocrites

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I
Iblis

The Jinn who disobeyed Allah Ta'ala and was expelled from
His mercy. It was Iblis who tempted Adam and his wife
Hawwa (Eve), peace be on them, to approach the forbidden
tree. He is also known as Shaitan (Satan). See Shaitan . See
Holy Qur' an, Al-Baqara (2):30-39.

Ibrahim, peace be upon him

"Abraham". He was a messenger, as well as one of the greatest

prophets of Islam. He was the father of two other great
prophets, Ismail and Ishaq (Ishmael and Isaac respectively). All
the prophets who came after him were descended from him,
peace be on them. See Mursaleen . See Holy Qur' an, AlBaqara (2):130, 135. Surah 19 of the Holy Qur'an.
Iconoclasm
Idealism
Idol

Idols

-

Idols. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):219

Idol-worship

Idolatry
Idolatry was widespread in the Arabian Peninsula, including
.Mecca, in the Pre-Islamic era

Idris, peace be upon him

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Enoch. A prophet of Islam and a man of truth and wisdom. See

Holy Qur'an, Maryam (19):56-57, Al-Anbiya (21):85. See
Mursaleen

Ifrad (Hajj al)

Single Hajj

"Single Hajj". Performing Hajj without doing Umra. See Hajj

Ignoramus
Ignorantly

Ihram

1. The state in which one is prohibited from doing certain

things which are lawful at other times. Umra and Hajj
are performed in such a state.
2. When one assumes such a state one must state mentally
and orally that he or she is assuming such a state for the
purpose of Umra or Hajj. Then one must recite the
Talbiya. See Talbiya
3. Dress:
o Men. It consists of two pieces of unstitched cloth:
(i) Rida - worn around the upper part of the body.
(ii)Izar - worn below the waist.
o Women. Any full length dress which covers the
entire body except for the hands and face, and is
inconspicuous, i.e. it does not attract attention in
any way whatsoever (tight, colourful, etc.).
4. Behaviour: Both men and women are not permitted to
trim their hair or nails, wear perfume, harm or kill any
living thing, including insects, or damage any plant or
tree. They should avoid argument and loss of temper.
Sexual intercourse between spouses is also not
permitted.

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Ihsan
Highest level of obedience in worship, i.e. to be aware of and
sincere to Allah Ta'ala and to be eager to do all good deeds. It is
to worship Allah as if you see Him, knowing that, although you
do not see Him, Allah sees you.

Ijmaa`: Consensus of opinion

Consensus of opinion. Usually defined as the unanimous

agreement of the mujtahidoon of any period following the
demise of the Prophet Muhammad on any matter. As such, it is
described as collective ijtihaad.

Ijtihaad:

Literally, striving and self-exertion; independent reasoning;

analytical thought. Ijtihaad may involve the interpretation of
the source materials, inference of rules from them, or giving a
legal verdict or decision on any issue on which there is no
specific guidance in the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

Ikhlas

The Complete Faith

1. "The Complete Faith". Surah 112 of the Holy Qur' an.

2. Sincerity of the heart in worship and purity of intention.
For any worship to be accepted by Allah it must be
entirely for His sake, and not for other-than-Him.
Illegal
Illicit

-

Ilyas, peace be upon him

Elijah. A prophet of Islam. See Holy Qur'an, Al-An'am (6):85,
As-Saffat (37):123-132. See Mursaleen .
108

Imam

Imaret
Imitation

Immaculately

- -

Immarescible

Immigration

Immolation

109

Immolator

Immanity

Immoral
Immortal
Impartial
Impartialness
Impeccable
Impeccably

Impendence

Impenitence

Imperator
Imperiousness
Imperturabability

Impiety

Impignoration
Impious

Imploration

Imprecation

Improving

Imposture

Improvement
Impure

Imsaak

Start of the fasting time. Imsaak begins when the first light of
dawn becomes visible, at Fajr when the Adhan is called.
Infallibility

Inalterable

Inattention

Inattentive

Incest

Inchastity

Independence
Independent
Indepravate

110

Indevote

Indevotion

Indidiation

Indigence

-

-
-

- -

111

Indigent
Indirection
Indisciplinable
Indocile
Indocility
Inerrant
Inevitable day
Infendation

Inference
Inference. Deducing a somewhat hidden meaning from a given
text. The process of extracting laws.

Inferior
Infidel

Infidelity
Infidels

- -

Influential

Information

Ingenuousness

Ingratitude

Inguilty

Inherently
Inheritance
Inhibition
Innitency

-
-
-

Innocence

innovation

The term bid'ah linguistically means 'innovation'. It is any

saying or action which has been falsely attributed to the
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Messenger Muhammad (saw) and his Companions (ra). Bid'ah

is one of the negations of Islam, and those who knowingly
innovate any matter in the Deen will be prevented from having
intercession from the Messenger of Allah (saw). Those who
regularly commit bid'ah are known as Ahl ul-Bid'ah (the people
of bid'ah), and this term can be applied to many deviant sects
nowadays, such as the Sufis.

Input

Insha Allah

If Allah wills

"If Allah wills". It is forbidden to say "I will do such and such
tomorrow," without saying afterwards, "Insha Allah".

Inshiqaq (Al)

Rending Asunder

"Rending Asunder". Surah 84 of the Holy Qur'an.

The Expanding

Inshirah (Al)

"The Expanding". Surah 94 of the Holy Qur'an.

Insight
Inspiration
Instinct
Institution

-
-

-

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Insubmission

Insurgence

Insurrections

Intent

Intention

Niyyah

Interdict

Internecion

Interpretation

- -
Taweel
Interpretation. Especially interpretation of the Holy Qur'an
Intreat
-
Intrepidity

Invasion

Inveiglement

Investigation

- -

Invisible

Invisible world
Invocation

Iqama

The call which announces to the congregation that the

obligatory prayer is just about to begin. The statements are the
same as the Adhan, but in a shortened form, such that if a
statement is repeated four times during the Adhan, then it is
repeated twice during the Iqama.

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Iqamat as-salat

Performing the Salat in a perfect manner. This is understood by

most Muslims as having only one meaning, but it has two:
1. Performing the prayer in exactly the same manner as the
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, used to pray. see Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 737,
boook 12, Vol.1.
2. Establishing the prayer Every person in a Muslim
society who is seven years old or more must pray women in their houses and men in the Masajid
(mosques). Every head, be he head of the family or chief
of the town, will be held responsible for the missed Fard
prayers of those under him, as well as his own.

Iram

Capital city of the ancient people of 'Ad in the Yemen. It was

famous for its lofty pillars. Some scholars say Iram was a hero
of the people of 'Ad who built a lofty statue of him. See Holy
Qur'an, AL-Fajr (89):6-8.
Irresistance

- -

Isa, peace be upon him

One of the greatest prophets and messengers of Islam. He is

also known as Isa ibn Mariam (Jesus, Son of Mary) and Isa alMaseeh (Jesus the Messiah, Jesus Christ). The Jews and the
Christians have both blasphemed against the Prophet Isa, peace
be on him. The Jews reject him completely, whilst the
Christians have elevated him to the level of Allah and/or Son of
Allah. The concept of such divinity is rejected in the Bible by
the Prophet Isa himself(in pans of the Bible which have not yet
been altered)
1. According to 1 Timothy 2:5, "There is One God, and one
mediator between God and men, the 'MAN' Christ
Jesus." Notice the words" man" and "mediator". Are the
Christians trying to say that Allah is the mediator and
that the Bible is wrong? Do they not realize that Allah is
so supreme in glory that He does not mediate? Ask the
Christians how else they can explain this verse. Warn
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them that Allah's wrath will be on those who know-ingly

hide or avoid the Divine Truth.
2. According to Matthew 24:36, Jesus, peace be on him,
has no knowledge of the time of the Hour. Are the
Christian strying to say that Allah lacks knowledge?
3. According to Matthew 14:23, Jesus, peace be on him,
went into the hills to pray. Are the Christians trying to
say that Allah needs to pray, and if so, then to whom?
4. "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines
commandments of men." Matthew 15:9. Isa himself
confirmed the prophecy of Isaiah that the people would
worship him in vain and believe in doctrines made by
men. The truth is that Jesus, peace be on him, spoke the
truth, but it is the Christians who, in his name, have
invented lies against him. Allah is One. He did not beget
nor was He begotten. See Mursaleen .

Isha

Night. The fifth and last Fard Salat (Prayer). Its time starts
about one and a half hours after sunset, when the redness has
disappeared from the night sky and the stars have appeared,
and ends a litle before dawn.

Ishaq, peace be upon him

Isaac. A prophet of Islam. He was the second son of the

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be on him. He was thirteen
years younger than his brother, the Prophet Ismael (Ishmael),
peace be on him. Mary, mother of Jesus, peace be on them, was
descended from Ishaq. See Holy Qur' an, Al-An'am (6):84, AsSaffat (37):112-113. See Mursaleen .

Islam

Literally means "submission to the will of Allah". It is

for this reason that Allah Himself names His life
transaction "al-Islam" and describes all the followers of
this way of life, in every age, as "Muslims".
The life transaction of Allah has five pillars, all of which
must be strictly adhered to in word, deed and sincere
belief. The five pillars of Islam are as follows:

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1. Shahadatain. Bearing witness. All Muslims must

believe in and utter the Shahadatain.
First Shahada : Ash-hadu an la illaha illa
l'lah. (I bear witness that there is no deity
worthy of worship except Allah.)
Second Shahada: Ash-hadu anna
Muhammadar Rasoolullah. (I bear witness
that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.)
2. Salat. Prayers. To do all the five compulsory daily
prayers regularly in the exact manner as was
practised by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace.
3. Seeaam. Fasting. Also spelled as Saum. To fast in
the month of Ramadan.
4. Zakat. Wealth tax. To pay 2.5% of one's yearly
savings above a certain amount to the poor and
needy Muslims. The Zakat is compulsory on all
Muslims who have saved (at least) the equivalent
of 85g of 24 carat gold at the time when the
annual Zakat payment is due. Zakat is also due on
other things such as silver, animals, crops, etc. For
a full explanation on Zakat refer to the relevant
books written on the subject.
5. Hajj. Pilgrimage. To perform the pilgrimage to the
Holy City of Makkah at least once in one's
lifetime (if one is able to afford it). See Holy Qur'
an,Al-Maida (5):3.

Islamic religious law

Ismael, peace be upon him

Ishmael. A prophet of Islam. The first son of the Prophet

Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be on him, thirteen years older than
his brother, the Prophet Ishaq (Isaac), peace be on him. It was
through the lineage of Ismael that the Prophet Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was born. He helped
his father Ibrahim to raise the foundations of the Holy Ka'ba,
the holiest Masjid (mosque) in Islam. See Holy Qur'an, AlBaqara (2):125-129, Maryam (19):54-55. See Mursaleen .

Isnaad

Chain of narrators of a hadeeth.

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Isra (Al)

"The Night Journey". Another name for Bani Israel. Surah 17

of the Holy Qur'an.
Isolate
Isolation
Izar

A cloth worn (by men) below the waist.

J
Jab

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Jabriyah

Jabriyah : A sect which denies man's freedom of choice and

believes that all his actions are predetermined
Jack
Jacob

Jahanam

Most commonly understood to mean Hell. In fact, it is one of

the levels of Hell. There are seven levels of Hellfire:
1. Jaheem - the shallowest level of Hell. It is reserved for
those who believed in Allah and His Messenger, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, but who ignored
His commands.
2. Jahanam - a deeper level where the idol-worshippers are
to be sent on the Day of Judgement.
3. Sa'ir - is reserved for the worshippers of fire.
4. Saqar - this is where those who did not believe in Allah
will be sent on the Day of Judgement.
5. Ladha - will be the home of the Jews.
6. Hawiyah - will be the abode of the Christians.
7. Hutama - the deepest level of Hellfire. This is where the
religious hypocrites will spend eternity. The worst of
Allah's creation are the Munafiqeen (Hypocrites),
whether they be mankind or Jinn, for they outwardly
appear to accept, but inwardly reject, Allah and His
Messenger.

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Jaheem

The shallowest level of the Nar. It is reserved for those who

believed in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, but who ignored His
commands. See Jahanam.

Jahliyah

Ignorance The Pre-Islamic Era

Ignorance. This involves relying on what is other than the truth.

This is why the age prior to the advent of Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, is called Jahiliyah. Many
people believed, for example, in Allah, but tried to attain His
pleasure through worshipping another medium such as a stone,
fire, man, wood, animal, etc., rather than following His
guidance which had been revealed to the earlier messengers.
The age of Jahiliyah 'ended' when the Final Revelation, the
Holy Qur'an, was revealed to mankind and the Jinn. However,
it still exists wherever this Last Message from God has not
reached. Any deviation from the True Path is no longer
considered as Jahiliyah, but as Kufr, for the truth has been
distinguished from falsehood.

Jamra
White hot coal. The term used to describe the three pillars built
of stone at Mina. Plural: Jimar.

Jamrat al 'aqaba

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One of the three stone pillars at Mina. One of the rites of Hajj
is to throw pebbles at these stone pillars, which represent
Shaitan (Satan). Plural: Jimar.

Jannah

Paradise

Also spelled as Janna. Paradise. A created abode in the

Hereafter for those who believe in the Unity of Allah and in all
His Prophets and Messengers, and who follow their way of life.
See Mursaleen. Jannah has eight gates around it and each of
these eight gates has eleven doors. The names of the eight gates
are:
1. Bab al-Iman.
2. Bab al-Jihad.
3. Bab al-Kadhemean al-Gaidh.
4. Bab ar-Raiyan.
5. Bab ar-Radiyeen.
6. Bab as-Sadaqa.
7. Bab at-Taubah.
8. Bab as-Salat.
Jannah has not been guaranteed to any human being or Jinn
(with the exception of the messengers of Allah) before their
deaths, other than the following ten men:
1. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq.
2. Umar ibn al-Khattab.
3. Uthman ibn 'Affan.
4. Ali ibn Abi Talib.
5. Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqas.
6. Abu Ubaida 'Amer ibn al-Jarrah.
7. Al-Zubair ibn al-'Awam.
8. Talha ibn Ubaidu'llah.
9. Abdar-Rahman ibn 'Auf.
10.Sa'is ibn Zaid.
May Allah be pleased with all of them.

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Jathiyah (Al)

The Crouching

"The Crouching". Surah 45 of the Holy Qur' an.

Jehad

The Jews of Medina

The Jews of Medina : Upon arriving at Medina, the Messenger

of Allah made a covenant with the Jews. They were conferred
liberty to practice their religion and their title to their wealth.

Jibreel, peace be upon him

The Angel Gabriel. Also called Rooh al-Qudus, "The Holy

Spirit". His duty was to reveal the Word of Allah Ta'ala to His
Anbiaa (Prophets). He is now sent to help the very religious
against the temptations of Shaitan (Satan) at the time of death.
His epithet is Roohul Amin (The Spirit of Truth) (Ash-Shu'ara
(26):193). The AI-Amin is Muhammad, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):97-98,
At-Takwir (81):19-21. See Mursaleen

Jinn (Al)

"The Jinn". A race of created beings that are made out of

smokeless fire. They are like the Ins (human race) in many
ways:
1. They are born, have children and die. They also have
friends and family.
2. There are Muslims and Kuffar amongst them.
3. They eat food, but their food consists mainly of bones
and stool.
They differ from us in many ways too:
1. Their lifespan is much longer than ours.
2. They can see us and sometimes are able to dwell within
us.
3. They need no form of transport.
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4. They need no housing. The Muslims amongst them like

to live in the Masajid and pray, but the unbelievers tend

to live in the bathrooms of non-religious Ins (human
beings). The best way to make sure that they do not
intermix with us (i.e. enter our bodies or houses or eat
food with us) is to remember Allah constantly and to
read the Holy Qur'an as much as possible. Surah 72 of
the Holy Qur'an.

Jizya

tax

A tax imposed on non-Muslims who are under Muslim rule.

Job

Joseph

Judaism
Judge

Judgeship

Judgment

Judiye

Place where the Ark of the Prophet Nooh (Noah), peace be on

him, came to rest. Jabal (Mount) Judiye is in the Turkish
district of Bothan, which is situated near the frontiers of
Turkey, Syria and Iraq. See Holy Qur'an, Houd (]J):44.

Junub

Junub - a person having Janaba - means to be in a state of

ceremonial impurity or defilement. A male becomes junub on
having sexual intercourse or simply on the emission of semen
in sleep or otherwise. A female also becomes junub as a result
of sexual intercourse as well as when she is menstruating or
having postnatal bleeding. These are the general causes of
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janaba, which is also referred to in the books of jurisprudence

as hadath akbar. A full bath is required for a junub to receive
purification or tahara, without which a man or woman is not
allowed to touch or read the Qur'an, enter the mosque or offer
the prayers. In the absence of water, however, one is allowed to
resort to tayammum. Tayammum substitutes for both a full
bath (ghusl) and ablution (wudu).
Jurist -
Justice
-

K
Ka'aba

The cube-shaped stone building whose foundations were built

by the angels and completed by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
and his son, the Prophet Ismael, peace be on them, in Makkah.
It was rebuilt with the help of the Prophet Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace. It is the focal point
towards which all Muslims face when praying.
Kabin
Kadi

Kafir

Unbeliever

Unbeliever. Someone who covers up the truth and rejects Allah

and His messengers, may Allah bless them and grant them
peace. There are many different ways in which a person
becomes a disbeliever in Allah. For full explanation see Kufr.
Plural: Kuffar.
Unbeliever. Someone who covers up the truth and rejects Allah
and His messengers, may Allah bless them and grant them
peace. There are many different ways in which a person
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becomes a disbeliever in Allah. For full explanation see Kufr.

Plural: Kuffar.
Kafila

Kaid

Kain
Kaiser

Kauser

Kawthar (Al)

The fount of Kawthar

1. "The fount of Kawthar". A sacred fount in Jannah

(paradise). It is the source of all the four rivers of
Paradise, and feeds the Hawd of the Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
Surah 108 of the Holy Qur'an.
2. The Hawd which is filled by Al-Kawthar is at the end of
the Siratul Mustaqeem. It is a gift from Allah to the Holy
Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It is
to quench the thirst of the true believers.
Keblat

Ken
-
Khadija may Allah be pleased with her

First wife of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant
him peace, and one of the four greatest females created, the
other three being;
1. Mariam (Mary), Mother of the Prophet isa (Jesus), peace
be on them.
2. Asiya, the wife of Fir'aun (Pharaoh).
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3. Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, may Allah bless them

and grant them peace.

Khaibar

A famous town north of Madinah. It was the place where a

great battle took place between the Muslims and the Jews in
1OAH. The Muslim victory at Khaibar destroyed Jewish
influence in the Arabian peninsular for many centuries, until
the introduction of the modern Jewish banking system
throughout the world. See Holy Qur' an, Al-A hzab (33):27.

Khaleel

Highest form of friendshp. The love that is mixed with one's

own soul. The Prophet Muhammad and the Prophet Ibrahim,
may Allah bless them and grant them peace, were
'Khaleelu'llah', the intimate friends of Allah. They loved people
for Allah, but their greatest love was only Allah Subhana wa
Ta'ala Himself.

Khalideen

To abide for ever. The good will abide in the Jannab (Paradise)
and the evil will abide in the Nar (Hellfire) forever.
"Khalideena feeha abada". (They will abide in there for ever.)
The word "Aba da" also means "for ever". Allah Ta'ala uses
"Abada" to emphasize "for ever", reminding us that eternity is
endless.

Khalifa

Derives from the word Khalafa,

Yakhlufu = come after.
Khulafa = the ones who succeed others, in the sense of
standing in as a representative for someone else.
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Thus Khalifa = viceregent, the representative of Allah. Khalifa

has two main meanings:
1. General: It refers to mankind, particularly the believers.
See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):30. Every Muslim is a
Khalifa and should carry the banner of Islam high and
strive to establish the Deen of Islam until Allah's Word is
uppermost on the earth.)
2. Specific: A Muslim ruler. There were four Al-Khulafaa
ar-Rashideen, "the rightly-guided Khulafaa":
o AbuBakras-Siddiq- 11-13AH.
o Umar ibn al-Khattab - 13-23AH.
o Uthman ibn 'Affan - 24-36AH.
o Ah ibn Abi Talib- 36-4OAH.
May Allah be pleased with them. Plural: Khulafaa.

The Ditch

Khandaq (Al)

"The Ditch". A famous battle between the early Muslims and

the pagans in which the Muslims built a Khandaq (trench) on
the unprotected side of the city of Al-Madinah al-Munawarah
to prevent the advance of the Makkan unbelievers in 5AH. The
enemy were halted by this unexpected tactic, and then driven
away by awful weather, mutual distrust and low morale,
without any major engagement having taken place. It was also
called Ghazwatul-Ahzab (Battle of the Clans), because the
Makkan idol-worshippers were assisted by the Jewish Tribes
ofBanu Nadhir, Banu Chatfan and Banu Asad. See Holy
Qur'an, An-Nur (24):55, Al-Ahzab (33):9-20.

Kharaj

Khatib

orator

Tax imposed on the revenue from land taken from nonmuslims to ensure their equal rights under Islamic law.

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orator, speaker.

Khawarij

The people who dissented from Islam and created a false belief
which was not part of the HolyQur'an or the teachings of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace. Singular: Kharij.

Khazen

. Finance manager.

veil

Khimar

A type of Hijab (veil) which covers the face, but leaves the
eyes exposed, as opposed to the Niqab, which covers the entire
face, including the eyes.

khitan :

the ritual circumcision of every Muslim male child.

Khosoof

Lunar eclipse

Lunar eclipse. There is a special Eclipse Salat (prayer) which

lasts as long as the eclipse itself.
Kiblah
Kind

Kindhearteredness
Kindless
Kindly
King
Kingdom

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Kinship

Kismet

Kitab

Book. There are three types of Kutub (books):

1. The Book of records or deeds. On the Day ofjudgement,
everyone from both man and Jinn will receive their
book, in their right or left hand, according to the
preponderance of their good or bad deeds and thus will
either enter Paradise or be cast into Hellfire. See Holy
Qur' an, Al-Qamar (54):52-53.
2. AI-Kitab, The Book (or Revelation). Refers especially to
the Holy Qur'an, but also refers to the original
revelations revealed to the earlier messenpgers of Allah,
may the blessings and peace of Allah be on them. See
Qur'an.
3. Ordinary books. i.e. books written by people, all of
which are subject of human error and cannot be
compared to the Qur'an. The Qur'an is the uncreated
word of Allah Ta'ala.
Kneel
Kneeling
Knight
Knowing
Knowledge
Koran

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Kufee

A style of angular writing often used for early hand-written

copies of the Holy Qur'an.

Kufr

Disbelief in Allah's Commands, including the refusal to accept

whatever the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, taught. There are two levels of Kufr:
1. Kufr al-Akbar (major disbelief)
. Major Kufr is subdivided into five categones;
o Kufr al-Taktheeb: Denying the divine truth.
o Kufr Abaa wa Stakbara ma'al-Tasdeeq:Refusing to
bow to Allah due to pride, even though
acknowledging the divine truth.
o Kufr ash-Shakk wa Dhann: Doubting any or all of
the six articles of faith (see 'Aqaaid), even if not
completely denying them.
o Kufr aI-Iraad: Knowingly turning away from the
divine truth.
o Kufr al-Nifaq: Disbelief through hypocrisy.
2. Kufr aI-Asghar (minor disbelief)
. Being unappreciative of what Allah Ta'ala has provided.

Kunya

A respectful and affectionate way of calling People as "Abu" or

"Umm" (Abu = father of, Umm = mother of) followed by the
name of the eldest son; if there is no male offspring then the
"Abu" or"Umm" is followed by the name of the eldest

130

daughter. It is prohibited to have the same Kunya as the

Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
e.g. It is not permitted to call someone Abu Qasim". Sahih
Bukhari, Hadith 205, Vol.8. Sahih Muslim, Kitabul-A dab.

Kusuf

Solar eclipse

Solar eclipse. There is a special Eclipse Salat (prayer) which

lasts as long as the eclipse itself.

Hypocrite

Zindeeq

Hypocrite or unbeliever. Anyone who does not believe in Allah

and who rejects His Messengers, may Allah bless them and
grant them peace.

131

La ilaha illa'llah

There is no deity except Allah. This sentence is called AlKalimatul Tayibah.

Night of Power'

Lailatul-Qadr'

The 'Night of Power', concealed in one of the odd nights in the

last ten days of Ramadan; the night on which the Qur'an was
first revealed by Jibreel to the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, and which the Qur'an itself
describes as "better than a thousand months" (Holy Qur' an, AlQadr (97):3).
Lance
Lapidate
Lapidation

132

Lapse

Largess

Last the

Last day

Lasting

-

Lateef (Al)

"Al-Lateef". The Subtle One Who is All-Pervading. One of the

ninety-nine Attributes of Allah. The exact meaning of this word
is very difficult to fully understand. It includes all of the
following meanings (and more that we are not aware of):
1. So fine that He is imperceptible to the human sight.
2. So pure that He is unimaginable to the human mind.
3. So kind that He is beyond human comprehension.
4. So gracious that He is beyond human grasp.
5. So near that He is closer to us than our jugular veins. See
Holy Qur'an, Al-Hajj (22):63, Ash-Shura(42):19.
Laudable

the

Laudableness
Law

Leadership
League
Lealty

- -

Layer

Leal

-

133

Legacy

Legal

Legend

Legitimate

Legitimists

-

Lewdness

Lewdness. A major sin.

Liberation

Link

Literally

Taabi`oon

Literally, followers. The generation of Muslims immediately

after the Companions (.Sahaabah).
Local custom which is `recognizably' good. In the absence of
anything to the contrary, derivation of the law from the
common and approved mores of a people.

Loot, Peace be upon him

Lot. A prophet of Islam. Nephew of the Prophet Ibrahim

(Abraham), peace be on them. The Prophet Loot's wife was
destroyed, along with the people whom he called to worship
Allah, for their wickedness. They were the first people to
practise homosexuality and lesbianism. See Holy Qur'an, Houd
(11):81, Ash-Shu'ara (26): 160-175.
Loss

Loyal

- -
134

Loyalty
Luminous

Lunar calendar

( )

In their religious duties, Muslims depend on solar and lunar

calendars. The latter is shorter than the solar by twelve days.
Fasting the month of Ramadhan, celebrating the two major
feasts ('Eid Al-Fitr and 'Eid Al-Adhha), performing the
pilgrimage to Makkah, and other religious activities depend
upon the lunar months. The names of the lunar months are:
Muharram, Safar, Rabi' Al-Awwal, Rabi' Al-Akhar, Jumadal
ulla, Jumada Al-Akhirah, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadhan,
Shawwal, Zul-Qa'adah, and Zul-Hijjah. The timing of the daily
prayers depends on the solar system.

135

Luqman

"Luqman". Name of a wise sage of ancient Arabia. Some say

he was a prophet. He has the title of Mu'ammar (the long lived
one). Surah 31 of the Holy Qur'an.

Lure

- -

Luxurious
Luxury
Luxary

136

M
Ma'arij (Al)
"The Ways of Ascent". Surah 70 of the Holy Qur' an.

Ma'arif

A spiritual realisation of Allah Ta'ala. Gnosis. It is to directly

witness the Light of the Names and Attributes of Allah
manifested in the heart.

Ma'shar

Assemblies

Assemblies. Whether they be assemblies of mankind or of the

Jinn or both.

Mabrur

A Hajj that is accepted by Allah because of its perfection in

both inward intention and outward observance of the traditions
of Rasoolu'llah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Madhhab: way of going

(plural: madhaahib). Literally, way of going. School of

thought.

Madyan

People of the Prophet Shu'aib, peace be on him. They were

destroyed by an earthquake for rejecting Shu'aib and the
warnings from Allah Ta' ala he had brought with him. See Holy
Qur'an, Al-A'raf(7):85-93, Houd (1]):84-95.
137

Cursed

Maghdoub

"Cursed" by Allah Ta'ala. Surah Al-Fariha (1):7,

"...Maghdoubee 'alaihim..." (those that have been cursed) refers
to the Jews. Allah Ta' ala has cursed them for continually
breaking their covenants. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Baqara (2 ):83 86, 93,100, Al-Ma' idah (5):13-14, 73.

Maghfirah

Forgiveness

Forgiveness. In the Holy Qur'an Allah Ta'ala uses three

different words to mean "forgive":
1. 'Afa. Forgave, in the sense of obliterating the memory of
wrondoing from one's mind.
2. Safaha. Forgave, in the sense of overlooking, ignoring or
turning away from misdeeds.
3. Maghflra. Comes from one of the ninety-nine Attributes
of Allah Ta'ala, "Al-Ghafur", which means to forgive
again and again.

Sunset

Maghreb

Sunset. The fourth compulsory Salat (Prayer) of the day. It

consists of three Raq'as. It can be prayed at any time between
just after sunset and before the stars appear in the sky.
Magic

Magician
Magnanimity
Magnificence
Magnificent

Mahr

-
-
-
- -

138

Dowry given by a husband to his bride on marriage.

Maiden

Manifest

Zaahir

Manifest, apparent, obvious. A word or phrase is described as

zaahir when it has a clear meaning. It may still however be
open to interpretation.

Maiser Gambling

Gambling. Literally means getting something too easily.

Maiser has been prohibited by Allah Ta'ala in the strongest
terms possible : "Ijtanibou" - "Leave it!". It is a higher level of
prohibition than forbidding it because it is Haram. Hararn = a
direct prohibition ordered by Allah Ta'ala. Ijtanibou = a degree
more serious than Ha ram. It is not only Haram, but also a
direct command not to approach or be near it for any reason
whatsoever. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Ba qara (2):2 19, A/-Ma' idah
(5):93.

Majeed

The Most Glorious

"Al-Majeed". The Most Glorious. One of the ninety-nine

Attributes ofAllah. For a full list of the Asmaul Husna of Allah
Ta'ala.
Majesty

Majoos

Fire worshippers

139

Fire worshippers. These people lived mainly in Persia and the

Eastern Arabian Peninsula in the pre-Islamic period of
ignorance. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Haft (22):17.

Majority

Major sins

Makr

Has two meanings:

1. Plotting or planning with evil intent.
2. Planning for a good purpose:
"Wa Makaru wa Makara Allah wa'llahu Khairul
Makereen" (Surah Aali 'Imran (3):54). "They planned
and Allah planned and Allah is the best of planners".
Makaru = they plotted. Makara = He planned.
Makkar = plotter.
Makereen= plotters.
See Holy Qur' an, Aali 'Imran (3):54.

Malaikah

Angels

"Angels". Another name for Suratul Fatir. Surah 35 of

the Holy Qur' an.
A race of created beings that are made out of light. Their
sole purpose in creation is to worship and glorify Allah
and to perform their duties exactly as described. They
are incapable of disobedience. They do not eat, or sleep,
or procreate. Their exact number is unknown. Amongst
the well-known ones are the following:
1. The angel Jibreel (Gabriel) - the angel whose duty
is to communicate between Allah Ta'ala and the

140

prophets and to whomever Allah wills; e.g. he was

commanded to communicate with Mariam
(Mary,Mother of the Prophet Jesus), Jesus and
Muhammad, may Allah bless them and grant them
peace.
2. The angel Mikaeel (Michael) - the angel of
provisions.
3. The angel of Death - takes the souls of people
when they die. Many Muslims mistakenly call him
lirael. The name "I irael" is neither mentioned in
the Holy Book of Allah, the Holy Qurtan, nor by
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, in any of the Ahadeeth. The name "Izrael"
is mentioned in the Taurat and therefore has been
'borrowed' from the Jews. Beware of such
innovations. Copying the Jews or any other
unbelievers, and then saying "This is from Allah",
is Kufn
4. The angel Israfeel - the angel who will blow the
horn to bring the universe to its end.
5. The angel Ridwan - keeper of Jannah (Paradise).
6. The angel Maalik - keeper of Nar (Hellfire).
7. The angels Munkar and Nakeer - the two angels
who are assigned to question the souls of the dead
in their graves about their fa ith.
Peace be on all of them. Singular: Malak.
Malice
Malignity

-
-

The Mamluk State (1250-1517 A.D.)

141

The Mamluk State (1250-1517 A.D.) : The Mamluks were

originally Turkish, Circassian and Mongol slaves recruited by
the Ayyubids. They rose to power in Egypt and constituted the
two ruling-classes: the Naval Mamluks and the Mamluks of the
Tower. The Mamluk Sultans extended their influence over
Syria and some parts of Asia Minor. They confronted the
Crusaders and Mongols. After the fall of their state at the hands
of the Ottomans, their chiefs represented a source of trouble
and disturbance until Muhammad `Ali eliminated them at the
Massacre of the Citadel (1811 A.D.) Although their era was
famous for its political anarchy, they left behind important
architectural monuments including mosques, schools, and
hospices, particularly in Cairo.

Manah

Manah : An idol worshipped in Mecca in the Pre-Islamic

period

Manasik General sacrifice

General sacrifice in the path of Allah Ta'ala. All deeds and
actions during the Hajj are regarded as Manasik, for they are
indeed regarded as sacrifices in the path of Allah.
Manifestly
Mankind

Mansookh Abrogated
Abrogated. The abrogation of certain commands usually came
with increased belief or a change in situation. Only Allah Ta'ala
has the power to abrogate verses of the Holy Qur'an. An
example of an abrogated statement is: "...wa in too bdu ma fee
anfooseekum aw too khfoohu youhasibkumbihi Allah..."(Al-

142

Baqara (2):284), "...whether you show what is in your mind or

conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it...". When the
Muslims heard this Ayah they went to Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, and said: "O Rasoolullah, we
can control ourselves, but how can we control the outbursts in
our hearts?" (i.e. sudden thoughts that Shaitan puts within us).
The Prophet Muhammad said: "Do you intend to say, 'Same'na
wa asaina' (We hear and we disobey), as did both the People of
the Book (i.e. the Jews and the Christians)? Say, 'Same'na wa
ata'na!'." So they said, 'Same'na wa ata'na (We hear and we
obey) . On hearing their reply Allah Ta'ala abrogated this verse,
by revealing the 286th verse of Surah al-Bqara. "La
youkalifu'llahu nafsan lila wus'aha...", "Allah does not burden a
soul beyond its scope...". The aim of the 284th verse of Surah
al-Baqara was to test the followers of Muhammad, may the
blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them, as to whether
or not they would say the same as the Jews and the Christians
who used to say, "Same 'na wa 'asaina" (We hear and we
disobey)

Maqam Ibrahim The station of Ibrahim

The station of Ibrahim. The place where the Prophet Ibrahim,

peace be on him, stood in prayer, and which marks the place of
prayer following Tawaf of the Ka'aba. This place today is
marked by a stone in which there are two large sunken
footprints, said to have been made by the Prophet Ibrahim
when he stood on the stone while he and his son Ismael were
building the Ka'aba.

Mariam, peace be upon her

143

"Mary". The Virgin Mary. Daughter of 'Imran and Hannah and

mother of the Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on him. She is the
first of the four greatest females created, the other three being:
1. Asiya, the wife of Fir1aun (Pharaoh).
2. Khadija, the first wife of Muhammad.
3. Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, may the blessings and
peace of Allah be on him and all his wives and family.
Surah 19 of the Holy Qur'an.

Martyr

Shaheed

Martyr in the cause of Allah Ta'ala. There have been many

Shuhadaa in Islamic history, amongst whom are the following:
1. Hamza, martyred at the Battle of Uhud in 4AH.
2. Umar, stabbed in Madinah on 27/12/23AH.
3. Uthman, axed at his home on 17/12/35AH.
4. Ali, stabbed while in Sajda on 17/9/4OAH.
5. Hussein, martyred at the Battle of Karbulah (Iraq) on
9/l/6l AH.
Whoever is killed in the way of Allah goes straight to the
Garden, may Allah be pleased with all of them. See Holy
Qur'an,An-Nisaa (4):117-120. Plural: Shuhadaa

Marut
One of the two angels that were sent by Allah as a trial to
mankind by way of allowing Harut and Marut to teach them
magic. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):102.

Marwa

A small hill in Makkah close to the holiest Masjid in Islam, AlMasjid al-Haram. See Sa'i Safa and Marwa.

Masad (Al) Palm Fibre

144

"Palm Fibre". Another name for Surah AbI Lahab. This Surah
condemned Abi Lahab and his wife to Hellfire (many years
before their deaths) for their Kufr, especi~ly their violent
opposition to the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace. Surah 1]] of the Holy Qur'an.

Maskeen visibly in need

visibly in need, but also those who seem in no need of help, but
who in reality are very poor. Singular: Miskeen.

Masjid

Mosque

Mosque. A place of worship for Muslims. A place where the

five daily compulsory prayers are regularly done, except for the
Jum'a prayers (the Friday noon prayer and Friday Khutba). The
Masjid Jame' is the place where all the five compulsory Salat
(Prayers) and the Jurn'a prayers are regularly done. The Masjid
Jame' is usually larger than a Masjid. Plural: Masaj Id.

Masjid al-aqsa (Al) 'Furthest Mosque'

The 'Furthest Mosque' built by the early Muslims in Jerusalem,

on or near where the Temple of Solomon once stood. See
Baitul-Maqdis.

Masjid al-haram (Al)

The Grand Masjid in Makkah. The Ka'ba (the Qiblalt of the

Muslims) is situated within it.

Masjid an-nabawi (Al)

Another name for the Masjid ar-Rasool in Al-Madinah. It is the

second greatest Masjid in Islam, the first being the Masjid al-

145

Haram in Al-Makkah al-Mukaramah, and the third being the

Masjid al-Aqsa in AI-Quds (Jerusalem).
Mediation
Medieval

Medina Al-Munawwarah

Medina Al-Munawwarah [Illuminated] : Previously known as

Yathrib
Meditation
-
Menace

Mendacity
-
Merciful

Mercy
-
Messenger

Messenger of Allah

Mi'raj

The Night Journey of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah

bless him and grant him peace, from Makka to Jerusalem and
then through the realms of the seven Heavens, beyond the limit
of forms, the Sidrat al-Muntaha, to within a bow-span's length
or nearer to the Presence of Allah. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Isra
(17):1. See Bukhari, Hadith 345, Book 8, Vol.1 ,and 227,book
58 Vol.5.
Migration

Mihraab Prayer niche

146

Prayer niche of a Masjid (mosque), in front of which the Imam

stands when leading the congregational prayers.
Militant

Mimbar

pulbit

Steps on which the Imam stands to deliver the Khutba on the

day of the Jum'a.

Mina
A place five miles from Makkah and approximately ten miles
from 'Arafat. An essential place to visit during the Hajj. See
Hajj.
Minaret
Minority

Miracles

Miracle : A miracle is an event that appears inexplicable by the

laws of nature, so held to be supernatural in origin or an act of
Allah.
Misbelief

Miscreant

Miser
Misery

-
-

Misrule

Mission

Mistrust

Mob

147

Moderation
Modesty

Mohammad, peace be upon him

The Final Messenger of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala to Ins wal
Jinn (mankind and the Jinn). Born in Makkah in 570AC. At the
age of 40 he was called upon to become the mightiest of all
messengers. He died in Madinah at the age of 63 after
gloriously completing his transmission of the Divine Message.
He was the bringer of the greatest miracle of all time, the Holy
Qur'an. It is through him that Allah Ta'ala has enlightened
mankind and the Jinn until the Day of Judgement. He is the
Best of Creation, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on
him and his family and his companions and all who follow him
and them in what they are able, with sincerity, until the Last
Day. To those Jews and Christians who reject the Holy Prophet
Muhammad, let it be known that Muhammad is actually
mentioned by name in the Old Testament in the original
Hebrew Song of Solomon, Ch.5, v.16. But for some misguided
reason they have chosen to adulterate it by changing it from
"Muhammadim" (in the Hebrew) to "altogether lovely" in the
English. (Mummad + im is a term of respect in Hebrew.)
Similarly, Muhammad is actually mentioned by name in the
New Testament in John 14.16,26,15.26 and 16.13. The Greek
word "Periqleitos" (Paraclete), which is the equivalent of the
Aramaic word "Mhamda", means precisely what "Ahmad"
means in Arabic, "the most praiseworthy", and "Ahmad" is one
of the Prophet Muhammad's names, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace. But for some misguided reason they have
chosen to adulterate it by changing it from "Mhamda" (in the
Aramaic) to "Comforter" or "Counsellor" in the English. Many
other references to Muhammad which existed in the original

148

Torah and Ingeel have been removed altogether. Allah Ta'ala's

wrath awaits those who knowingly alter or hide His words.
Allah Ta'ala has given Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, the following names;
1. Muhammad: The one who praises and is praised.
2. Ahmad: The most praiseworthy.
3. AI-Mahi: The effacer (of Kufr).
4. AI.'Aqib: The last.
5. Mustafa: The chosen.
6. AI-Amin: The trustwonhy.
Surah 47 of the Holy Qur' an. For a chronological list of the
main events in the Prophet Muhammad's life, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace.

A Chronological Guide
1. Prophet's birth

In the spring
season Monday
is the agreed
day. 1st year of
Am-ul-Feel. 50
days after the
event of the
elephant,
corresponding
to 22nd April,
570 AD, 1st
Jaith 628
Bikrami before
sunrise,
popularly
known to be 12

149

The date is a
matter of
controbersy, but
most researchers
lean to the 9th
Rabi I, as
Monday also
falls on that date.
Other dates
suggest are 10
and 13 Rabi I.
Some have also
suggested 8. But
the majority of
scholars' view
favours 9.

Rabi I.
2. Nursing

At the age of 4
months.

3. Death of Prophet's
mother.

At the age of 6
years.

4. Death of his
grandfather.

At the age of 8
years 2 months
10 days.

5. First journey to
Syria with Hazrat Abu
Talib.

At the age of 12
years 2 months

6. Participation in the
battle of Fajjar 1st
time.

At the age of 15
or thereabout.

7. Participation in the
battle of Fajjar second
time.

Some time later,

no date given.

8. Participation in
Hilful Fazul, a
reformist movement.

At the age of
16.

150

2-3 days after

birth, he was
suckled by
Thaubia, a slave
girl of Abu
Lahab.
Permanent
nursing period
spent at the
desert home of
Halima S'adia

The episode of
Bahira, the Monk,
is connected with
this journey.

9. Second journey to
Syria as a trader.

At the age of 23
or 24

10. Marriage with

Hazrat Khadija.

At the age of 25
years 2 months.

11. Unseen secrets

reveal themselves.

Seven years
before
Prophethood at
the age of 33.

12. Arbitration.

At the age of
35.

13. Prophethood.

At the age of 40
years 11 days, 9
Rabi I,
corresponding
to 12 February,
610 AD,
Monday

14. Fajr and Asr

Prayers , prescribed 2
Rakats each.

9 Rabi I, on the
day of
Prophethood.

15. Beginning of
revelation of the
Qur'an

18 Ramaza 1st
year of
Prophethood
Friday, at night

Sura 'Alaq was

revealed

16. Beginning of
secrect preaching

House of
Arquam
Makhzoomi was

About 40 people
accepted Islam
during this

151

Arbitrated in the
dispute about
fixing the black
stone which was
amicably settled.

made centre of
movement.
17. First public
announcement of
Prophethood.

At the end of
3rd year of
Prophethood.

18. First wave of

opposition, Ridicule
Propaganda and mild
oppression.

3rd to 5th year

of Prophethood.

19. Second wave of

intense opposition,
Oppression.

5th to 7th year

of Prophethood.

20. Migration to
Abyssinia.

Rajab, 5th year

of Prophethood.

21. Hazrat Hamza and

Hazrat Umar embrace
Islam.

period.

During this
period,
deputations of
Quraish went to
pressurise Abu
Talib and
confabulations
for opposition.

Hazrat Umar
accepted Islam 3
days after Hazrat
Hamza.

22. Prophet's
internment at Shi'b
Abi Talib with the
family of Hashim.

1st Muharram,
7th year of
Prophethood.

23. End of internment

and boycott.

End of 9th year

of Prophethood.

152

24. Year of sorrow.

Death of Hazrat Abu
Talib and Hazrat
Khadija

10th year of
Prophethood.

25. Visit to Taif

Jumada II, 10th

year of
Prophethood.

26. Ascension (Miraj)

27ths Rajab,
10th year of
Prophethood,
Monday

27. Daily prayers five

times a day
prescribed.

27th Rajab, 10th

year of
Prophethood,
Monday.

28. Beginning of
Islam in Medina.

Zul hijja, 10th

year of
Prophethood

29. Deputation of
Medina. Six people
accept Islam.

Zul hijja, 12th

year of
Prophethood.

30. First pledge of

Aqaba with 12
persons.

Zul hijja, 12th

year of
Prophethood.

31. Second pledge of

Aqaba with 75
persons.

Zul hijjar, 13th

year of
Prophethood.

32. Migration:
(a) From Mecca to

Safar 27, 13th

year of

153

the cave of Thaur

Prophethood,
Prophet's age
was 53 years.

(b) Departure from

Thaur

1st Rabi I, 13th

year of
Prophethood,
Monday, 16th
September, 622
A.D.

(c) Arrival at Quba.

8th Rabi I, 14th

year of
Prophethood
Monday 23rd
September, 622

(d) Entry into

Medina.

14th year of
Prophethood,
Friday

33. Foundation of
Masjid-i-Nabavi laid.

Rabi I, 1 H.

34. Addition of
obligatory prayers

Rabi II, 1 H.

35. Brotherhood
between Migrants and
Ansars

First quarter, 1
H.

36. Establishment of
Islamic State and
constitutional
agreement of Medina.

Middle of 1 H.

37. Defence system

Middle of 1 H.

154

Patrol parties

introduced.
38. Marriage with
Hazrat Ayesha.

start.
Shawwal, 1 H.

Married in Mecca
before migration
but consummation
at Medina after
migration.

39. Islam of two elite,

Abdullah ibn Salam,
formerly Jew and Abu
Qais Sarha bin Abi
Anas, former
Christian monk.
40. Jihad ordered.

12 Safar 2 H., 1
year 2 months
and 10 days after
migration.

41. First military

action Ghazwa
Waddan.

Safar 2 H.

42. Pacts with outside

clans Bani Damra,
People of Bowat and
Banu Madlaj.

Safar to Jumada
II, 2 H.

43. Robbery of Kurz

bin Jabir Fahri.

Rabi I, 2 H.

44. Nakhla episode,

first frontier clash of
Islamic party.

End of Rajab, 2
H.

155

One non-Muslim
killed and two
taken prisoners
and brought to
Medina. The
Prophet resented

the action and

made amends for
it.

45. Salman Farsi

accepts Islam.

2 H.

46. Beginning of
Azan

2 H.

47. Zakat prescribed.

2 H.

48. Change of Qibla.

15th Shaban, 2
H. Monday

49. Ramazan fast

prescribed.

1st Ramazan, 2
H. Wednesday.

50. Congregational
prayer of Eid-ul Fitr,
Fitra ordered.

1st Shawwal, 2
H.

51. Battle of Badr.

First regular battle:
Start from Medina.

8 Ramazan, 2
H. Wednesday

Battle.

17 Ramazan, 2
H.

Victorious entry into

Medina.

20 Ramazan, 2
H.

52. Marriage of
Hazrat Ali and Hazrat
Fatima.

After the battle

of Badr, 2 H.

53. Siege of Banu

Qainuqa'.

Middle of
Shawwal to
beginning of

156

Ziq'ada, 2 H.
54. Prophet's marriage
with Hazrat Hafsa,
daughter of Hazrat
Umar.

3 H.

55. Marriage of
Hazrat Usman with
Hazrat Umme
Kulsum, daughter of
the Prophet.

3 H.

56. First order of

prohibition of wine.

3 H.

57. End of Ka'ab bin

Ashraf.

3 H.

58. Birth of Hazrat

Hassan.

15 Ramazan, 3
H.

59. Battle of Uhud,

Start from Medina.

5 Shawwal, 3 H.
after Friday
prayer.

Battle.

6 Shawwal, 3 H.
Saturday.

Pursuit of Abu
Sufian's army up
to Hamra-ul-Asad.

7 Shawwal, 3 H.
Sunday.

60. First order of

prohibition of usury.

Soon after battle

of Uhud.

61. Injunctions about

orphans.

Soon after battle

of Uhud.

157

62. Detailed laws of

inheritance issued.

Soon after battle

of Uhud.

63. Injunctions about

marriage, rights of
wives, prohibition of
marriage with
idolaters.

3 H.

64. Prophet's marriage

with Ummul Masakin
Zainab, daughter of
Khozaima.

End of 3 H.

65. Episode of Raji'.

Murder of 10
members of
missionary
deputation.

Safar, 4 H.

66. Ghazwa Banu

Nodair.

Rabi I, 4 H.

67. Death of Hazrat

Zainab, daughter of
Khozaima.

Rabi I, 4 H.

68. Order of Hijab

1 Ziq'ada, 4 H.
Friday.

69. Final order of

prohibition of wine.

4 H.

70. Second Ghazwa

of Badr.

Ziq'ada, 4 H.

158

Abu Sufian did

not turn up in
keeping with his
own challenge.

71. Ghazwa Dumatul

Jandal

Rabi I, 5 H.

72. Ghazwa Banu AlMustalaq

3 Shaban, 5H.

73. Injunctions for

Tayammum.

On the way to
Ghazwa Banu
Mustalaq.

74. Prophet's marriage

with Hazrat Jowairia.

Shaban, 5 H.

75. Episode of Ifk.

Shaban, 5 H.

76. Enforcement of
Penal Laws against
fornication, slander
etc.

5 H.

77. Ghazwa Ahzab.

Shawwal or
Ziq'ada, 5 H.

78. Arrival of Daus

deputation to Medina.

5 H.

79. Punishment of
Banu Quraiza.

Zul hijja, 5 H.

80. Prophet's marriage

with Zainab, daughter
of Jahsh.

5 H.

81. Islam of
Thamama bin Usal,
chief of Najd.

6 H.

82. Treaty of
Hudaibiya.

Ziq'ada, 6 H.

159

83. Return to Medina

from Hudaibiya.

Zul hijja, 6 H.

84. Islam of Khalid

bin Walid and Amr
ibn-ul Aas.

Zul hijja, 6 H.

85. Beginning of
international callletters to rulers.

1st Muharram, 6
H. Wednesday.

86. Ghazwa Khyber.

Muharram, 7 H.

87. Prophet's marriage

with Hazrat Safia.

Murharram, 7
H.

88. Return of
Abyssinian migrants.

7 H.

89. Establishment of
independent Muslim
camp at Saiful Bahr.

7 H.

90. Raid by Saif-ulBahr on Quraish

Caravan.

Safar, 7 H.

91. Postponed Umra

performed

Ziq'ada, 7 H.

92. Detailed
injunctions about
marriage and divorce

7 H.

160

By Muslim young
men who were
oppressed in
Mecca but could
not be allowed to
say at Medina
according to
Hudaibiya Treaty.

93. Marriage of the

Prophet with Hazrat
Maimuna at Mecca

7 H.

94. Islam of Jibila

Ghassani.

7 H.

95 Ghazwa Mutah.

Jumada I, 8 H.

96. Violation of
Hudaibiya pact by
non-Muslims

Rajab, 8 H

97. Ghazwa of the

conquest of Mecca,
start from Medina.

10 Ramazan, 8
H. Wednesday.

Victorious entry into

Mecca

20 Ramazan, 8
H.

Expedition of Hazrat
Khalid to
demolish the temple
of Uzza at
Nakhla.

Most probably
25 Ramazan, 8
H.

Expedition of Amr
ibn-ul Aas to
demolish the temple
of Swa'a.

Ramazan, 8 H

Expedition of Sa'ad
Ashhali to
demolish temple of
Manat.

Ramazan, 8 H

Stay in Mecca

Up to 9
161

Shawwal
Ghazwa Hunain.

Shawwal, 8 H

Siege of Taif

End of Shawwal
to beginning of
Ziq'ada, 8 H.
about 18 or 20
days.

Distribution of booty
at Ji'rana,
and
Umra

Ziq'ada, 8 H.

98. Final order of

prohibition of usury

8 H.

99. Arrival of Suda

deputation at Medina.

8 H.

100. Death of Hazrat

Zainab, daughter of
the Prophet.

8 H.

101. Organization of
Zaka.

Beginning of
Muharram, 9 H.

102. Ghazwa of
Tabuk. Start of the
Poor Contingent.

Rajab, 9 H.

103. Order about

Jizia.

At the time of
Tabuk.
162

On the occasion
of the victory of
Mecca.
Annulment of all
demands of the
amounts of
interest.

104. Zerar Mosque

set on fire.

On return from
tabuk.

105. Islam of Ukaidir,

chief of Dumatul
Jandal.

9 H.

106. Apology by
Ka'ab ibn Zuhair and
his acceptance of
Islam.

9 H.

107. Some
deputations which
came to Medina:
Deputation of Azra.

Safar, 9 H.

Deputation of Baliy.

Rabi I, 9 H.

Deputation of
Khaulan.

Shaban, 9 H.

Deputation of Thaqif.

9 H.

108. Haj prescribed.

First Haj under Hazrat
Abu Bakr.

9 Zul hijja, 9 H.

109. Proclamation of
annulment of pacts of
unlimited period.

10 Rabi II, 10
H.

110. Deputation of
Maharib.

10 H.

Deputation of
Mahamid.

10 H.

163

Deputation of
Khaulan.

Shaban, 10 H.

Deputation of Naisan.

Ramazan, 10 H.

Deputation of Bani
Haris bin
Ka'ab

Shawwal, 10 H.

Deputation of
Salaman.

Ramazan, 10 H.

111. Twenty days'

retirement of the
Prophet in the last
Ramazan.

Ramazan, 10 H.

112. Musailima the

liar's correspondence
with the Prophet

10 H.

113. The Last Haj:

start from Medina.

26 Ziq'ada, 10 H.
Saturday between
Zuhr and Asr.

Stay at Zulhailifa.

Night between
Saturday and
Sunday.

Putting on Ihram

Sunday at the
time of Zuhr
prayers

Arrival and stay at

Zittowa.

Night of Sunday
4 Zul hijja, 10 H.

Start from Zittowa to

Mecca

5 Zul hijja, after

early morning
prayer.

164

Entry into sacred

Mosque.

5 Zul hijja, 10
H. at noon

Stay outside Mecca.

up to 8 Zul
hijja, 10 H.

Start for Mina.

8 Zul hijja, 10
H. Thursday
noon

Start from Mina to

Arafah

9 Zul hijja, 10
H. Friday after
sunrise.

Haj Address.

9 Zul hijja, 10
H. Friday
afternoon.

Stop at Arafah.

9 Zul hijja, 10
H. after Zuhr
and Asr prayers.

Start from Arafah to

Muzdalifa.

9 Zul hijja, 10
H. after sunset,
Friday.

From Muzdalifa
to
Masha'ar-i-Haram

10 Zul hijja, 10
H. Saturday
after morning
prayer.

From Masha'ar-iHaram to Mina

10 Zul hijja, 10
H. before
sunrise

Throwing of pebbles.

10 Zul hijja, 10
H. after sunrise
till noon.
165

Address at Mina.

10 Zul hijja, 10
H. noon.

Sacrifice performed.

After address.

Start from Mina to

Mecca.

10 Zul hijja, 10
H.

Return from Mina to

Mecca.

10 Zul hijja, 10
H. evening.

Second address at
Mina.

11 Zul hijja, 10
H.

Start from Mina to

Mahsab or
Abtah.

13 Zul hijja, 10
H. Tuesday.

Return from Mecca.

Night between
13th and 14th
Zul hijja, 10 H.

114. Deputation of
Nakh'a

Middle of
Muharram, 11
H.

115. Order for Start of

Usama's Army.

26 Safar, 11 H.

116. Beginning of the

Prophet's fatal
disease.

End of Safar, 11
H.

117. Period of
seriousness of
disease. Stay in

7 days up to the
time of passing
away.

166

Last military
expedition
ordered by the
Prophet.

Hazrat Ayesha's room.

118. Last congrgational
prayer at the mosque
and last address.

5 days before
passing away,
Thursday, Zuhr
prayer.

119. Passing away.

12 Rabi I, 11 H.
Monday,
forenoon.

120. Burial in Hazrat

Ayesha's room.

Night between 13
and 14
Rabi I, 11 H.
Tuesday.

Monarchism

Monarchy

Monastery

Monk

Monopolist

Monopoly

Monotheism

Moot

Morale

Motivation
Motive
Mould

Taqwim

167

Mould, shape, form, etc. Allah Ta'ala created man in the best of
forms, but then abased him to the lowest of the low. See Holy
Qur 'an, At-Teen (95):4-5.

Mouted
Mubashirat

Glad tidings

Glad tidings. Good dreams.

Mubiqat destructive sins

Major, destructive sins.
Mudathir (Al) The Cloaked One
"The Cloaked One". Surat 74 of the Holy Qur' an.

mufti : an interpreter
an interpreter or implementer of shari'ah or Islamic law
(essentially an Islamic lawyer). The Council of Muftis gathers
together to debate changes to Islamic laws in the face of
modern advances, such as organ donation.

Muhaddith A scholar of Ahadeeth

A scholar of Ahadeeth (sayings and traditions of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace). Plural: Muhaditheen.

Muhajir

immigrant

A Muslim who emigrated from Makkah to Madinah during the

time of the great repression of the Muslims by the pagan
Quraish up until the conquest of Makkah in 8AH by the

168

Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
Plural: Muhajireen.

Muhajireen
Plural of Muhajir. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Hashr (59):8-9, AlMunafiqun (63): 7. See Muhajir.

Muhkam
Qur'anic verses which have a clear-cut meaning.

muhtasib.

The officer in charge of the hisba, whose duty, among other

things, is to ensure the proper conduct of people in their public
activities.

mujtahid.
Religiously learned.

Mulhid

Atheist

Atheist. A complete disbeliever in Allah Ta'ala and the Last

Day. Derives from Ilhad (atheism). Ilhad literally means
deviation. For a full explanation: See Ilhad. Plural: Mulhidoon
or Muihideen.

Mulk (Al)

The Sovereignty

"The Sovereignty", of Allah Ta'ala. Surah 67 of the Holy

Qur'an.

Munafiq

A hypocrite

A hypocrite, more dangerous and worse than a kafir

169

Munafiqeen Hypocrites
Hypocrites. They are the worst of created beings, for they
pretend to, but do not believe in Allah and the Last Day. Allah
has cursed them (At-Tawbah (9):67-69) and on the Day of
Judgement they will occupy the lowest depth of the Nar
(Hellfire), called "Hutama". Also spelled as Munafiqoon.
Singular: Munaflq.

Munkar

1. Name of one of the two angels who will question us in

our graves. See Munkar wa Nakir.
2. Something that is disapproved of in Islam.
3. Something that is denied when it is said or pointed out.
4. Something that is refused when offered.

Munkar wa Nakir, peace be upon them

The two angels who will question the souls of the dead in their
graves shortly after burial about their faith, asking, "Who is
your Lord? Who is your Prophet? What is your Book? What
was your Deen?" See Malaikah.

Muqarraboon

Literally means "those who have been brought near". These are
the most exalted, the most loved by Allah Ta'ala. On the Day of
Resurrection, Allah Ta'ala will sort out the good and the evil
into three groups:
1. Muqarraboon - the exalted class, those who are the
nearest to Allah Ta' ala. Also described as the Sabiqoon,
meaning 'those who outstrip the rest'.

170

2. Ashab al-Maimana - literally means "the Companions of

the Right". These are the righteous people, those who are
destined to enter the Jannah (Paradise).
3. Ashab al-Mashama - literally means "the Companions of
the Left". These people will be the inheritors of the Nar
(Hellfire).
For full explanation on;
Muqarraboon - see Al- Wa qi'ah (56):11-26.
Ashab al-Maimana - see Al- Wa qi'ah (56):27-40.
Ashab al-Mashama - see Al- Wa qi'ah (56):4!-56.

Murji'ah: Deferrers
Deferrers. Those who defer judgment of the sinner to God and
the Day of Judgment.

Mursalat (Al) The Emissaries

"The Emissaries". Surah 77 of the Holy Qur' an.

Mursaleen

Literally means "those who are sent". It refers to the prophets

and messengers sent by Allah Ta'ala. Allah sent many prophets
and messengers to preach the message of Tawheed to Ins wal
Jinn (mankind and the Jinn). Their exact number is not
Ahadeeth. Here is a complete list of the prophets and
messengers of Allah who are mentioned in the Book of Allah
Ta'ala, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on all of them:
For example :
950-1000
1. Adam
The first human
??
2. Idris

3. Nooh(M)
4. Houd
5. Saleh

83
950
150
58

??

Enoch

3900 2900BC

Noah
Preached to 'Ad.

2500 2200BC

2000 1900BC Preached to Thamud

171

6. Ibhrahim (NI)

175
175

1861 1786BC

?
92
75
120
122
70
53
?
?
?

1600 15OOBC Preached to Madyan

1043 937BC
985 932BC
9 BC ca
9 BC Ca
8 BC Ca.

David
Solomon
Elijah.
Elisha
Jonas

120
30

100BC 2OAC

Father of Yahyah.

Abraham
1861 1786BC Lot
120or143 1781 1638BC Shmael
178or180 1761 1681BC Isaac
1700 1653BC Jacob
147
1610 l5OOBC Joseph
110

7. Loot
8. Ismael
9. Ishaq
10.Yacoub
11.Yusuf
12.Shuaib
13.Ayoub
14.Dhu'l-Kifel
15.Musa(M)
16.Haroon
17.Dawood (NI)
18.Sulaiman
19.Ilyas
20.Al-Yas'
21.Yunus
22.Zakariah
23. Yahya
24.Isa(M)

1600 1500BC Job

1600 15OOBC Ezekiel.

1436 1316BC Moses

1439 1317BC Aaron.

1BC 3OAC John the Baptist

1 33AC
Jesus
33
25.Muhammad(M) 63
571 632AC The Final Messenger
(M)= a messenger as well as a prophet of Allah Ta'ala; i.e. one
who came with a new message, a revelation that confirmed the
earlier revelations, but which contained new elements
appropriate for its time.

Murtad Apostate

Apostate. Plural: Murtadeen.

Murtaddeen

People who become apostates, i.e. people who become

unbelievers after having believed.
Back To list ]

172

Musa, peace be upon him

Moses. One of the greatest prophets and messengers of

Islam. See Mursaleen.

Mushrikeen Idol-worshippers
Idol-worshippers. People who associate partners with Allah
Ta'ala, such as the Christians, who have raised the Prophet Isa
(Jesus, Son of Mary), peace be on them, to the level of Allah.
Allah Ta'ala may forgive any sin which man or Jinn may
commit, except for dying in a state of Shirk. Singular: Mushrik.
See Shirk.

(AL)Mustafa

The Select

AL-Mustafa [The Select] : One of the names of the Holy

Prophet (peace be upon him) because he was chosen by Allah
to be His Messenger to all mankind.

Mutashaabihaat: Allegorical
Allegorical. Refers to verses (aayaat) of the Qur'an which are
expressed in a figurative manner in contradistinction to aayaat
muhkamaat or verses which are clear in and by themselves.
Mutiny

Muzzammil (AL) The Enshrouded One

"The Enshrouded One". Surah 73 of the Holy Qur'an.

Mystic
Mysticism
Myth

173

N
Nahl (Al) The Bee

"The Bee". Surah 16 of the Holy Qur'an.

Najm (Al) The Star

"The Star". Surah 53 of the Holy Qur'an.

Najwa

1. A private talk between Allah the Almighty and one of

His slaves on the Day of Resurrection. See Sahih
Bukhari, Hadith 621, Book 43, Vol.3.
2. A secretive talk amongst the Kuffar plotting against the
Holy Prophet Muhammad and his followers, may the
blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them. See
Surah al-Mujadalah (58):8.

Naskh

Abrogation

Abrogation of certain parts of the Qur'anic revelation by

others. The principle is mentioned in the Qur'an: "None of Our
revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We
substitute something better or similar" (2: 106).

Naasikh

active participle

(active participle). Refers to the passage which abrogates or

supersedes the part which is abrogated. The abrogated passage
is called mansookh (passive participle).
Nation
Negativism

174

The Negus

The Negus : King of Abyssinia who received the Muslims who

had immigrated to his country from Mecca and protected them

Neighbour

Neighbourhood
Neuter

Nifaq

Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy. One of the greatest sins in the sight of Allah Ta'ala.

The punishment for Nifaq is the lowest pit of an-Nar (Hellfire),
the Hutama. See Jahanam.
Niggard
Nobility
Noble
Nomad
Nomadism

Nooh, peace be upon him

"Noah". A messenger as well as aprophet. Surah 71 of the Holy

Qur'an. See Mursaleen.

175

Duhr

Noon

Noon. The second obligatory Salat (Prayer) of the day. It can

he prayed at any time between noon and mid-afternoon

Nun

Nusuk

A general sacrifice in the path of Allah. All the deeds and

actions of Hajj are regarded as Nusuk, for they are indeed
regarded as sacrifices in the path of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala.
Plural: Manasik.

Nuzool

The revelation of the Holy Qur'an. The revelation of the Holy

Qur'an was revealed in three stages:
1. It was first written on the Lauh al-Mahfudh, i.e. on the
guarded tablet in the Seventh Heaven.
2. On the Lailatul Qadr Allah Ta' ala sent the entire Qur' an
down to the Baitul 'Izza in the First Heaven.
3. During the month of Ramadan Allah Ta'ala ordered the
Holy Spirit, the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be on
him, to start to reveal the Qur'an to the Holy Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
but not all at once. The entire revelation of the Holy
Qur'an took twenty-three years.

176

O
O Allah

Allahumma

"O Allah". This is said when invoking Allah Ta'ala. For

example, "Allah humma atina fid dunya hasana wa fil akhirati
hasana wa qin a 'ad hab an-nar". "OAllah, give us the good of
this world and the good of the Hereafter and preserve us from
the Hellfire."

Obdurate
Ta'a

Obedience

Obedience to Allah and performing good deeds. Interpretation.

Especially interpretation of the Holy Qur'an

Obeisance

Occupation
Olden

Omnipotent

Omniscient

Onset

-

177

Opinionated

Oppression
Optimism
Orator

178

orders

Ahkam

Literally means "orders". In Islam, orders are subdivided into

six distinct categories:
1. Compulsory, (Fard) = severe punishment if disobeyed.
This takes two forms:
1. Fard 'ain = compulsory on every person, e.g. Salat.
2. Fard kifaya = compulsory on at least one person in
the community, e.g. Salat al-Janaza.

2. Necessary but not compulsory (Wajib), e.g. Salat al-Juma'.

3. Recommended but not compulsory (Mustahab), e.g.
Sunnah prayers, Sadaqa.
4. Legal and allowed (Halal), e.g. eating good
food,marriage.
5. Disapproved of, but not forbidden (Makrouh),
e.g.smoking tobacco.
6. Forbidden (Muharram, Haram), e.g. Zina (fornication
and adultery).
Orderliness
-
Organization
Orient

Orientalism

Orientalist

Origin
-
Original sin

Ornament
- -
Orphan

Orthodox

Ostracize
-
Outlay

Oversight
-
179

Overtly

P
-
180

Pacification

-

Pagan

Paganism

Painful

Pact

Palace
Panegyric

-
-

Panic

Papacy

Papal

Paradise

Paragon

Pardon

Parity
Parsimonious

Participant

-
-
-

181

Parsimony

Party
Pass
Passion

Passive obedience
Passive resistance

Paternal

Path

Patience

Sabr

Patience and perseverance. Allah Ta'ala has promised

"Falaah"(success) in this world and in the Hereafter to those
Muslims who have Sabr, especially during times of hardship.
See Holy Qur'an, Aali 'Jmran (3):200.
Patrimony
Patriot

Patronage

-
-

Paucity

Pavilion

P.B.U.H

These letters are abbreviations for the words Peace Be Upon

Him which are the meaning of the Arabic expression " 'Alaihis
Salam", which is an expression that is said when the name of a
prophet is mentioned. This expression is widely used by
English speaking Muslims. It is to be noticed here that this
expression does not give the full meaning of "Salla Allahu
'Alaihi Wa Sallam". Therefore it is recommended that people
do not use (p.b.u.h.) after the name of prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.); they should use "Salla Allahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam"
instead, or they may use the abbreviated form of (s.a..w) in
writing.
Peace

-
182

Penalty

-
-

Penance

Penitence

-
-

Penitent

Perfidy
Period

Perjury

Permissible

- -

Permission

Perpetuate

-
-

Perpetuity

Perplexity
Persecution

Perspicacious
Persuasion

Pert

Pertinacity

-
-

183

Pertinent
Oerverse

Perversity
Pervert

Pest

Phantom

Pharisaism

Phenomena

Phenomenon

Philanthropy

Philosophy

Piety
Pig

Pilgrim
Pilgrimage
Pillage

Pillars

-

Arkan

Pillars. This refers to the indispensable pillars of Islam. There

are five Arkan of Islam:
1. Shahadatain, bearing witness. All Muslims must believe
in and utter the Shahadatain.
o The First Shahada is: Ashhadu an la illaha illal'lah.
(I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of
worship except Allah.)
o The Second Shahada: Ashhadu anna
Muhammadar Rasoolullah. (I bear witness that
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.) Singular:
Shahada = bearing witness. Dual: Shahadatain =
bearing witness.

184

2. Salat, prayers. To perform all the five compulsory daily

Salat (prayers) regularly in the exact manner as was
practised by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace.
3. Seeaam, fasting. Also spelled as Saum. To fast in the
month of Ramadan.
4. Zakat, wealth dues. To pay 2.5% of one's yearly savings
o the poor and needy Muslims. The Zakat is compulsory
on all Muslims who have saved (at least) the equivalent
of 85g of 24 carat gold at the fime when the annual
Zakat payment is due. Zakat is also due on other things
such as silver, animals, crops, etc. For full explanation
on Zakat refer to the relevant books written on the
subject.
5. Hajj, pilgrimage. To perform the pilgrimage to the Holy
City of Makkah at least once in one's lifetime (if one is
able to afford it).
Pimp

Pious

Piousness

Pirate

Pitiless

Pity
Placable
Plague
Platonic
Plaudit
Plea

-
-
-
-
-

- -

185

Pledge
Plenty
Plurality
Poetry

- -
-
-

Politeness

Politics
Pollute

Polytheism

Polytheists

Poor

Faqir

A poor person. In Islam poverty may take two forms :

1. Wordly : A person who does not have the financial
means to help himself.
2. In the Akhira(Hereafter): A person who has failed to gain
the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala by way of disobedience, thus
earning a place in the Nar (Hellfire).
Poor dues
Populace

-

Population
Pork
Portend
Portico
Portliness

-
-

186

The Possessors of Constancy

Position

Postponement

-

Possession

-
-

Potentate
Pout

Potency
Potent

Poverty

Powerful

- -

Praise

- -

Praiseworthy
Prayer

Awlo alazm

Preacher

Preaching

Precaution
Precipice
Precipitance

-
-
-

Preclusion

Precursor

187

Predestination
Predict

-

Prediction

Predisposition

Predominance

Predominant

Pre-eminence

Prehistoric

Prejudice

Preparation

Prepossessed

Prescribed

Prescript

Prestation

Pretence

- -

Pretext

Prevalence

Prevention
Previous
Priest
Priestess
Priesthood
Primitive

- -
-

188

Primordial
Prince

Principle

Principles of Islamic law Usulul Fiqh

Principles of Islamic law, drawn from the original fundamental

primary sources.
Princedom

Princess

Principal

Principality
Pristine

- -

Privation

Privilege

Privy council

Proclamation

Proclivity
Prodigal
Prodigality
Profanation
Progeny
Prohibition

-
-
-
-
-
-

189

Promiscuity
Promise

Proof

Daleel

(plural: adillah). Proof, indication, evidence. Every ruling or

judgment needs to be substantiated by the appropriate daleel in
the first instance from the Qur'an and the Sunnah.
Propaganda -
Propensity
Property

Prophecy

Prophet

Nabi

Prophet. There have been many prophets since the world was
first created. Their exact number is not mentioned either in the
Holy Qur'an or in any of the authenticated Ahadith (sayings
and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace). Only twenty-five of them are
actually named in the Holy Qur'an, may the blessings and
peace of Allah be on all of them. See Mursaleen for the
complete list. Plural: Anbiyaa.
Prophethood
Propitiation
Proposition
Proselyte
Prosperity
Prosperous

- -
-
-

190

Prostitution

Prostrating
Protection

Protectors

Awliyaa

Protectors, friends, supporters, helpers. Comes from the same

root word as Maula. Singular: Walee.
Protest
Protestation

Proud
-
Province
-
Provocation
-
Proxy
-
Prudence
-
Prudent fear

Psalm -
Psalter

Publicity
-
-
Publicly
Pulpit

Pumpkin

Punishment
-
Pure
Purification

Purify

Purity

191

Purification

Tahara

Purification. Tahara is accomplished in a variety of ways, e.g.:

1. Souls. In order for the soul to be pure one must submit
one's whole self to Allah Ta'ala, i.e. become a Muslim.
2. Bodies. They are purified through Tayammum, Wudu or
Ghusl, depending on the circumstances. For a full
explanation: See Tayammum, Wudu and Ghusl.
3. Clothing. Three things indicate that clothes may be
impure and need washing:
o If they smell.
o If they are wet and the cause of the wetness is
either unknown or known to be impure or dirty.
o If they are stained.
Puritan
Purity

-

192

Q
Qabr Grave
Grave.Life in the Qabr(the grave)is known as the
"Barzakh",the interspace, because it comes between in this
world and life in the next world. The Qabr is known by six
names:
1. Bait al-Ghurba (House of the Stranger).
2. Ba1t al-Wahda (House of Solitude).
3. Bait al-Turab (House of Dust).
4. Bait al-Door (House of Worms).
5. Bait al-Fitna (House of Trail).
6. Bait al-Dhulma (House of Darkness).
The grave is experienced as a place of peace and light and
spaceby the Ruh of the Mumin who sees his or her place in the
Garden in the morning and in the evening; and is experienced
as a place of torment and darkness and no space by the Ruh of
the Kafir who sees his or her place in the Fire in the
193

morningand in the evening. After death there is a period of

waiting in the grave for the Ruh until the Last Day arrives,
when every one who has ever live will be brought back to life
and gathered together. their action will be weight in the Mizan
(the Balance), and every one will either go to the Garden or the
Fire, for ever.

Qada wa Qadar Decree and Destiny

Decree and Destiny. Qada means what Allah has ordained for
all the world. Qada can not be changed, for the decree of
Allahis final. Qadar is the individual fate, or destiny if each one
of all His creature. It also can not be changed but may be
altered by Allah under special circumstances, for "Allah has
power over all thing" (Holy Qur'an, Al-Ma'idah (5):19.)

Qadi judge
It means judge.

Qardan Hasana

"A beautiful loan" (to Allah Ta'ala). Spending in the cause of

Allah Ta'ala is described by Allah Ta'ala Himself as "a beautiful
loan" because it entails self-denial for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.
It is for this reason that Allah has promised a rich reward for
those who expend their wealth in His Path. See Holy Qur' an,
Al-Baqara (2):245, Al-Hadid (57):11, 18.

Qareen

1. One who performs Hajj al-Qiran. See Hajj.

2. An independent soul that resides inside a person. It is
normally a friendly companion who helps the individual,
194

but sometimes gets jealous and causes problems. A male

Qareen resides in a male person and a female Qareen in
a female,
3. Companion

Qaroon

Korah. A wealthy Kafir who led a rebellion (of 250 men)

against the Prophets Musa (Moses) and Haroon (Aaron), peace
be on them. As a punishment Allah Ta'ala caused the earth to
open and swallow them up along with all that they possessed.
See Holy Qur'an, Al- Qasas (28):76-82, Al-Ankabut (29):39.

Qiama (Al) The Resurrection

"The Resurrection". Surah 75 of the Holy Qur' an.

Qibla

Direction in which all Muslims face when praying. Initially the

Qiblah was towards al-Quds (Jerusalem), then Allah Subhana
wa Ta'ala ordered the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, to face al-Ka'ba in Makkah alMukarramah. Everyone has a direction in life, but only the
Muslims have this Qiblah. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara
(2):142-145, 149-150.

Qisaas Law

Law of equal retaliation when punishing a person for injuries

intentionally inflicted on someone else. See Al-Baqarah(2:178179). Also Qisas, Qesas

Qiyas

measuring

195

Literally Qiyas means measuring or ascertaining the length,

weight or quality of something. Qiyas also means comparison
to establish equality or similarity between two things. A fourth
element of Sharia not found in the Quran, Sunnah, or given in
the Ijma, qiyas are new cases or case law that may have been
previously decided by a higher judge. The Sharia judge can use
legal precedent to decide new case law and its application.
Quack
Quail
Quarrel

-
-

Qub'

A place on the outskirts of Al-Madina. The Prophet saw

established a mosque there, which bears the same name. A visit
to that mosque on Saturday forenoon and offering a two Rak't
prayer is regarded as a performance of 'Umra in reward
according to the Prophet's saying.

Queen

Quest
- -
Quiescence
-
Qur'an

The "Recitation". The Holy Qur'an. Also called AIFurqaan,"The Discrimination (between truth and falsehood)".
The Final Revelation of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala to Ins walJinn (mankind and the Jinn). Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala Himself
decreed that it is He who will preserve the Holy Qur'an from
any deletion or addition or alteration until the Day of
Resurrection. It is generally understood that it is a book meant
for the Muslims alone. In fact, it is a book for all mankind and
196

jinn to follow up to the Day of Judgement, but it has been

accepted only by those who have submitted their will (the
Muslims) to Allah the Almighty. The people whom the Qur'an
is intended to benefit are described in Suratul-Baqara (2):15.They are the successful ones. The Holy Qur'an was revealed
to the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, through the Angel Jibreel (the Angel Gabriel), peace be
upon him, during a period of twenty-three years. The Holy
Qur'an is the greatest of the Last Messenger's miracles, since he
could neither read nor write and had never received any formal
education. The Holy Qur'an is the uncreated word of Allah. The
Holy Qur'an contains 114 Suwar, composed of 6,616 Ayat,
77,934 words and 323,671 letters.
Surah Index :
1. The Opening

2. The Cow

3. The Family Of 'Imran, The House Of 'Imran

4. Women

5. The Table, The Table Spread

6. Cattle, Livestock

7. The Heights

8. Spoils Of War, Booty

9. Repentance, Dispensation

10. Jonah

11. Hud

12. Joseph

13. The Thunder

14. Abraham

15. Al-hijr, Stoneland, Rock City

197

16. The Bee

17. Isra', The Night Journey, Children Of Israel

18. The Cave

19. Mary

20. Ta-ha

21. The Prophets

22. The Pilgrimage

23. The Believers

24. Light

25. The Criterion, The Standard

26. The Poets

27. The Ant, The Ants

28. The Story, Stories

29. The Spider

30. The Romans, The Byzantines

31. Luqman

32. The Prostration, Worship, Adoration

33. The Clans, The Coalition, The Combined Forces

34. Saba, Sheba

35. The Angels, Orignator

36. Ya-sin

37. Those Who Set The Ranks, Drawn Up In Ranks

38. Sad, (the Letter) Sad ( S )

39. The Troops, Throngs

40. The Believer, The Forgiver (god)

41. (signs) Spelled Out, Ha-mim

198

42. Councel, Consultation

43. Ornaments Of Gold, Luxury

44. Smoke

45. Crouching

46. The Wind-curved Sandhills, The Dunes

47. Muhammad

48. Victory, Conquest

49. The Private Apartments, The Inner Apartments

50. Qaf, (the Letter), ( Q )

51. The Winnowing Winds

52. The Mount

53. The Star

54. The Moon

55. The Beneficent, The Mercy Giving

56. The Event, The Inevitable

57. Iron

58. She That Disputeth, The Pleading Woman

59. Exile, Banishment

60. She That Is To Be Examined, Examining Her

61. The Ranks, Battle Array

62. The Congregation, Friday

63. The Hypocrites

64. Mutual Disillusion, Haggling

65. Divorce

66. Banning, Prohibition

67. The Sovereignty, Control

199

68. The Pen, (the Letter) N

69. The Reality

70. The Ascending Stairways, Staircases Upward,

Sckeptic

71. Noah

72. The Jinn, Sprites

73. The Enshrouded One, Bundled Up

74. The Cloaked One, The Man Wearing A Cloak

75. The Rising Of The Dead, Resurrection

76. Time, Man, (every) Man, This (day-and-)age

77. The Emissaries, Winds Sent Forth

78. The Tidings, The Announcement

79. Those Who Drag Forth, Soul-snatchers

80. He Frowned!

81. The Overthrowing, Extinguished! Wrapping Things

Up

82. The Cleaving, Bursting Apart

83. Defrauding, The Cheats, Cheating

84. The Sundering, Splitting Open

85. The Mansions Of The Stars, Constellations

86. The Morning Star, The Nightcomer

87. The Most High, Glory To Your Lord In The Highest

88. The Overwhelming, The Pall

89. The Dawn, Daybreak

90. The City, This Countryside

91. The Sun

200

92. The Night

93. The Morning Hours, Morning Bright!

94. Solace, Consolation, Relief

95. The Fig, The Figtree

96. The Clot, Read!

97. Power, Fate

98. The Clear Proof, Evidence

99. The Earthquake

100. The Courser, The Chargers

101. The Calamity, The Stunning Blow, The Disaster

102. Rivalry In World Increase, Competition

103. The Declining Day, Eventide, The Epoch

104. The Traducer, The Gossipmonger

105. The Elephant

106. Winter, Quraysh

107. Small Kindnesses, Almsgiving, Have You Seen?

108. Abundance, Plenty

109. The Disbelievers, Atheists

110. Succour, Divine Support

111. Palm Fibre, The Flame

112. The Unity, Sincerity, Oneness Of God

113. The Daybreak, Dawn

114. Mankind

Quraish

One of the greatest tribes in pre-Islamic Arabia. The Holy

Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
201

belonged to this tribe. At first they were an avowed enemy to

the Prophet, but the vast majority accepted Islam after the
conquest of Makkah in 8AH by Muhammad and 10,000 of his
companions, may the blesssings and peace of Allah be on him
and them. Surah 106 of the Holy Qur' an. See Holy Qur'an, AlQamar (54):43-46,51.

Qurbaan:

Literally means "sacrifice". In Islam it refers to the sacrificing

of animals solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala on the day of
eid ul-ad'haa and the two days following it.

R
Ra'd (Ar) The Thunder
"The Thunder". Surah 13 of the Holy Qur' an.
Rabbi

Rabbinical
Rabble
Race
Racism

Rahaman (Ar) Most Gracious

"Ar-hahman". Most Gracious, Merciful. One of the ninety-nine
Attributes of Allah Ta'ala. Surah 55 of the Holy Qur' an. This
Surah is referred to as "The Bride of the Holy Qur an

Raheem (Ar) Most Merciful

202

"Ar-Raheem". Most Merciful. One of the ninety-nine Attributes

of Allah Ta'ala. . It is said that the Attribute of Ar-Raheern
consists of the mercy of Allah that is only experienced by the
Muslims, whereas the Attribute of Ar-Rahman consists of the
mercy of Allah that is experienced by the whole creation. For
example, all creatures are fed until they die, but only the
Muslims experience the reward of breaking the fast at the end
of each day of Ramadan, and the reward of meeting their Lord
in the next world.

Rajm (Ar) Stoning

Stoning. In Islamic law the Hadd punishment for whoever is
married and commits adultery is to be stoned to death.

Rak'a

A unit of the Salat (Prayer), a complete series of standing,

bowing, two prostrations and sittings. Plural: Rak'at.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic clendar. It is a very important

month in the Islamic world.
1. It is the month of fasting, during which all adult Muslims
who are in good health fast from the first light of dawn
until sunset each day. During the first third of the fast
you taste Allah's mercy; during the second third you taste
Allah's forgiveness; and during the last third you taste
freedom from the Fire. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Baqara
(2):185.
2. It is the month in which the revelation of the Holy Qur'
an to our Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, commenced.
3. The Lailatul Qadr (see (Qadr, Lailatul) occurs in this
month.

203

4. The famous Battle of Badr was fought and won in this

month.
5. The Conquest of Makka by Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, took place in this month.
Rancour

Random

Ransom

-

Rasool Messenger

Messenger. A prophet of Allah Ta' ala who came with a pure

revelation from Allah to mankind and the Jinn. For a complete
list of the messengers and prophets referred to in the Qur' an:
See Mursallen. Plural: Rusull. See Rusull.

Rasoolu'llah Messenger of Allah

Messenger of Allah. Throughout the history of the world Allah
has sent messengers with a Book to explain Tawheed to man
and Jinn, and to show them how to live at peace. The Muslims
accept and believe in all the messengers, including the prophets
Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Dawood
(David), Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them all, and especially
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. See
Mursallen.
Ratification

Rationality

Rattle death

Readiness

Realm

204

Reasoning

Rebellious

- -
-
-
-

Rebel
Rebellion
Recitation

Recluse

Reclusion

Recognition

-
- -

Recoil

Reconciliation
Recondite

- -

Reconnoiter

Recorded

Recourse

-

Recrute

Redemption

- -
-

Redoubtable

Reformation

-
-
- -

205

Reformer
Refrain
Refuge
Refutation
Regal

Regenerate

Region

Registration

Regress

Regression
Regular

- -
-

Regularity

- -

Regulation

- -

Reign

Reinforcement
Relationship
Reliable

- - -
-

Reliance
Relics

- -
- -

religion

Deen

1. Deen Usually translated as 'religion', but in fact meaning

'life-transaction', the transaction being between Allah
and each of his created beings. The life-transaction, or
religion, of Allah Ta'ala is universal. It is the way of
Islam (submisson of will to Allah Ta'ala). He sent the
same message to Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham),
Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) and all the other prophets,
peace be on all of them, but mankind, through ignorance
or intentional misguidance by others, has altered the
religion of Allah again and again. Allah Ta'ala sent the
Holy Qur'an as the final revelation and guidance for
206

mankind and the Jinn who will all be judged on the Day
of Resurrection.
2. Also indicates the judgement itself, i.e. "Yaum al-Deen"
(Judgement Day).
Religious

Religiousness

Remission

Remonstrance

Remorseful

Renegade

Renunciate

Renunciation

Repose

Reprehension

Representative

Repression

Reprobation

Reproof

Reservation

Repentant

Rescission

Reentance

Reputation

-

207

Resignation

-

Resolution

-

Respect

Respite

Responsibility
Restorative

Restrictions

Resurrect

Resurrection

Retaliation

Reticent

-

Retinue
Retire

-
-

Retirement
Retreat

-
-

Retribution

-

Retrogression

Revealed
Revelation
Revenge
Reverence
Revolt
Revolution

- -
-
-
-
-

208

Reward

Rhetorician
Right

Righteous

Righteousness and awe of Birr wa Taqwa

Righteousness and awe of the Creator which ~nspire a person

to be on guard against wrong action and eager for ac don which
are pleasing to Allah.

The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (11-40 A.H.)

The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (11-40 A.H.) : The RightlyGuided Caliphs are the first four Caliphs who succeeded the
Prophet (peace be upon him). The Rightly-Guided Caliphs are
the outstanding members of the Community and its symbols,
leaders of the Call and its guards. They preserved the unity of
the Muslim community and managed the affairs of the Islamic
state. They are: Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, `Umar bin Al-Khattab,
`Uthman bin `Affan and `Ali bin Abi Talib.
Rigid
Risk
Rite
Rituals

Rizq Provision

209

rizq. Provisions that God destines for a person, in such forms

as additional income, food, clothing, or a natural resource such
as water. See fatahna.
Provision. Sustenance. Derives from the word "AI-Razaq" The
Provider or Sustainer, one of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah
Ta' ala.

Rooh Spirit
Spirit. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Hijr (15):29, Al-isra (17):85-86,
Al-Mujadilah (58):22, Al-Ma' arif (70):4, An-Naba' (78):38,
Al- Qadr (97):4.

Rooh AL Qudus The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit. Another name for the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel),
peace be on him. His duty was to communicate between Mlah
and His prophets. Alah Ta'ala strengthened the Prophet Isa
(Jesus), peace be on him, with the Holy Spirit (Al-Baqara
(2):87, 253). This is one of the reasons why the Nasara
(Christians) believe that the Prophet Jesus was divine. If Jesus
was Allah, then why did he need strengthening? They also
believed that the Holy Spirit was divine. If the Holy Spirit was
Allah, then how was He sent and by whom? Who has the
power to command Allah to go anywhere? Do they not know
that Allah is "AI-Wahid", "The Unique"? Glory be to Allah, the
Most High. Surely they disbelieve who say that Allah has
associates.

Ruh-ul-Lah

According to the early religious scholars from among the

companions of the Prophet saw and their students and the
Mujtahidn, there is a rule to distinguish between the two
nouns in the genitive construction.

210

(A) When one of the two nouns is Allah, and the other is
a person of a thing, e.g.,
(i) Allah's House (Bait-ul-Lah ),
(ii) Allah's Messenger;
(iii) Allah's slave ('Abdullah );
(iv) Allah's spirit (Ruh-ul- Lah ) etc.
The rule of the above words is that the second noun, e.g.,
House, Messenger, slave, spirit, etc. is created by Allah
and is honourable in His Sight and similarly Allah's spirit
may be understood as the spirit of Allah, in fact, it is a
soul created by Allah, i.e. Jesus, and it was His Word:
"Be!", - and he was created (like the creation of Adam).
(B) But when one of the two is Allah and the second is
neither a person nor a thing, then it is not a created thing
but is a quality of Allah, e.g.,
(i) Allah's Knowledge ('Ilmullah );
(ii) Allah's Life (Hayatullah ); (iii) Allah's
Statement (Kalamullah );
(iv) Allah's Self (Dhatullah )etc.

Root

Royal

Rude

Ruqya
Divine words, usually from the Holy Qur' an, used as a
recitafion to cure an illness or a disease.

Rule

- -

211

 -
-

212

Ruler
Runagate

S
Sabian

Sacerdotal

Sacred
-
Sacredness
-
Sacrifice
- -
Sadness
-

afa and Marwa

Two small hills in Makkah, in Al-Haram as-Shareef (The

Grand Masjid) to the east. It is an essential part of an Umra and
the Hajj to walk seven times between the two places,
quickening one's step briefly between two points between
them. This is called Sa'i. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):
Safety
-
Sage -

Sahih

Healthy and sound with no defects. Authentic, as regards

Ahadeeth, such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

Sahih Bukhari

A book of authentic Ahadeeth compiled by Imam Bukhari.

Sahih Muslim

213

A book of authentic Ahadeeth compiled by Imam Muslim.

Sahu

Literally means forgetting. If one adds to or subtracts from

what is required during the Salat (Prayer), out of forgetfulness
or lack of attention, then one must perform two extra
prostrations at the end of the Salat. This is called Sajda Sahu.

Saint
-
Sake - -

Sakina Calm
Calm, peaceful tranquillity, perfect calmness, serenity, due to
the Presence of Allah being made clear and apparent. See Holy
Qur'an, At-Taubah (9):26, 40, Al-Fath (48):4, 18, 26.

Salaf

Forebears

Forebears, predecessors, ancestors.

Al Salaf al Saalih

the righteous forebears - refers to the early generations of

Muslims including the Sahaabah and the Taabi`oon.

Salafi

Literally, "the early years". Salafi is used generally to describe

the early generations of the Muslims, particularly the
companions of the Messenger of Allah and those who followed
them, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and
them. In the present age the term is sometimes used to describe
a Muslim who closely follows the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet
214

Muhammad and As-Salafiyeen as-Saliheen, the righteous

companions of Muhammad.

Salat

Prayers. There are five daily obligatory prayers in

Islam,consisting of fixed sets of standings, bowings,
prostrations and sittings in worship to Allah. These are
called Rak 'at. The number of Rak'at in each prayer and
their timings are:
1. Fajr - dawn - two Rak'at.
2. Duhr - noon - four Rak'at.
3. 'Asr - afternoon - four Rak' at.
4. Maghreb - sunset - three Rak'at.
5. Isha - late evening - four Rak'at.
These five Salat are one of the Arkan of islam. See
Arkan.It is necessary to be in Ghusl and in Wudu when
doing the Salat. For voluntary Salat: See NafiIah.
One of the eight gates of Jannah (Paradise). See Jannah.

Salatud_duha

A Nafl Salat that is prayed after sunrise and before noon.

Salatul Janaza

Funeral prayer

Funeral prayer. It is permitted to do Salatul Janaza only over

the dead bodies of Muslims. This prayer is done in the standing
position only, and usually immediately before the burial. It
contains four Takbirs:
1. After the first Takbir - read Suratul Fatiha.
2. After the second Takbir - recite any Dua'a for the
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace,but it is preferred to do the Tashahhud (see
Tashahhud)and the Salat aI-Ibrahimiya: "AIlahumma
215

salle 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala alec Muhammad kama

salaira Ibrahim wa 'ala alee Ibrahim; fill 'alameen innaka
hameedun majeed. Allahumma barak 'ala Muhammad
wa 'ala alee Muhammad kama barak ta ibrahim wa 'ala
alec Ibrahim; fill 'alameen innaka hamidun majeed." ("O
Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad,
as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. In all
the worlds surely You are Praiseworthy,Glorious. O
Allah, give Muhammad blessing and the family of
Muhammad, as You gave Ibrahim blessing and the
family of Ibrahim. In all the worlds surely You are
Praiseworthy , Glorious.")
3. After the third Takbir - pray for the deceased person, his
or her relatives and the Muslim people in general.
4. After the fourth Takbir - this marks the end of the
Salat.Face your right shoulder and say "Assalamu
'alaikum wa rahmarullah" ( "Peace be on you and the
Mercy of Allah").

Salatul Shuruq

A Nafl Salat of two or four Rak'at that is prayed a short while

after sunrise.

Salatul Tasbih

A special Nafl Salat of four Rak'at. This Salat involves praising

Allah Ta'ala by including "Subhanallah, wal hamdulilah, wa la
il laha illallah, wallahu akbar" ("Glory to Allah, and Praise to
Allah, and there is no god except Allah and Allah is Greatest")
seventy-five times in each Rak'a.

salat ul-Jum'ah :

Although most Muslims pray on their own wherever they

happen to be at the time, there is an opportunity on Fridays to
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come together as a community to pray together. Traditionally,

the midday prayer on Friday is said at the mosque, where the
imam or a guest will read passages from the Qur'an and may
give a lesson much as Muhammad may have done thousands
of years ago. The congregation is arranged in lines (women and
men have separate areas for prayer), and the synchronisation of
movement and chanting by hundreds of Muslims is a powerful
sight. Although attendance is obligatory for men (although not
for women), a man who is sick is excused.

Saleh, peace be upon him

A prophet of Islam. He was sent to the people of Thamud who

lived in the north-western part of the Arabian Peninsula. They
were destroyed for rejecting him. The remains of their stone
dwellings still exist today. See Holy Qur'an, AI-'Araf(7):73-79,
At-Tawbah (11):61 -68, Ash-Shu'ara (26):141 -159,An-Naml
(27):45-53.

Salih

Righteous and goodly person, someone who is in the right

place at the right time. It may also mean healthy and sound in
body and soul.

Salsabil A fountain in Jannah

A fountain in Jannah. Literally means "seek the way". See Holy
Qur'an, Al-insan (76)18.
Salutation
Salavation

Samad (As)

-
-

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Does not have an exact meaning in English. The closest word

or words that indicate the meaning are:
1. "Absolute" and "Eternal" and "Everlasting".
2. The One to Whom all created beings turn to for all their
needs, and Who is not dependent on anything or anyone
for any need.
3. The Most Perfect in His Attributes.One of the ninetynine Attributes of Allah Ta'ala. For a complete list.
Sanctification
-
Sanctimonious
-
Sanctity
- -
Sanctuary

Sapience
-
Sapient

Saqifah A shelter with a roof

A shelter with a roof. The companions of the Prophet met in a

Saqifah in Madinah to pledge their loyalty to Abu Bakr after
the death of the Prophet.

Samad (as)

One of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah. It means Absolute,

Eternal, and Everlasting. It refers to the One to Whom all
created beings turn to for all their needs, and Who is not
dependent on anything or anyone for any need. The Most
Perfect in His Attributes.

Sariya A small army

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A small army sent by the prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless

him and grant him peace, for a Jihad in which he did not
personally take part.
Satan
Savage
-
Savagery
-
Saviour
-

Sawm

Fasting

Fasting (sawm in Arabic) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. All

healthy and sane Moslems are expected to fast (to abstain from
food, drink, smoking and other bodily pleasures) during the
daylight hours throughout the entire month of Ramadan. This
means that they rise before dawn to eat breakfast and then eat a
large meal after dusk. While they fast during the day, Moslems
are expected to reflect on themselves and their standing before
Allah, and ask for forgiveness for their sins. The evening meal,
by contrast, is often a time of enjoyment and the gathering of
friends and relatives.
Sceptic
Scepter
Schism
Scowl
Screech

-
-

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Scribes of the revelation

Scribes of the revelation : Scribes of the revelation were those

who shouldered the task of writing down the revelation.
Scruple
-
Sculptor
Secular

Seclusion
-

The Seat of Allah

Al-kursi

The Seat of Allah, al-Hayyu al-Qayoum. The size of His Seat

extends over all the heavens and earth. Even though it is such a
huge creation, it is still much smaller than the 'Arsh (the
Throne) of Allah Ta'ala. Surah 2:255 is called Ayatul Kursi. See
Surah al-Baqara (2):255. See also 'Arsh.
Seconder -
Sect
-
Sedan

Sedateness

Sedition

Seditious

Seductive
-
Self

Self-denial

The Seljuk State

The Seljuk State : These were the descendants of Turkman

whose grandfather was Seljuk. They had so many offsprings
who ruled Iran, Asia Minor, Iraq and Syria from the 11th to the

220

13th centuries A.D. They put an end to the Buyids and were
.finally brought to an end by Genghis Khan and his successors
Seniority
-
Sensual

Sensuality

Serenity -
Serdom

Settler

Shafaa'a

Intercession

Intercession. On the Day of Judgement Allah Ta'ala, through

His Grace and Mercy, will permit the Prophet Muhammad may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, to intercede on behalf of
the Muslim Ummah. Three other groups may also be given
leave to intercede:
1. The Anbiyaa - the prophets.
2. The Ulamaa - the people of knowledge from amongst the
Muslims.
3. The Shuhadaa - the martyrs who died in the cause of
Allah Ta'ala.

Shahada

witness

To witness, in this world. See Shahadatain.

To bear witness, on the Day of Judgement. There will be
four witnesses on Yaum al-Hisab (the Day of
Reckoning):
1. The Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, and the Muslim Ummah
against all the other Ummahs (communities and
nations).
2. The earth and the day and the night will be given
the power to speak and bear witness.
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3. Everyone's limbs will bear witness for or against

theirowners.
4. One's deeds.
Singular of Shahadatain.

Shahawat

Desires

Desires and passions.

Shahid

It means a witness or martyr.

Shaikh

[Other Commonly Used Spellings: SHEIKH]

The word Shaikh is a title or a nickname for an elderly person
or a religious leader in a community. This title is also given to a
wise person. The meaning of the word Shaikh has been
distorted, misused, and abused by some mass media to reflect
the wrong meanings.

Shirk

Opposite of Tawheed. To associate anyone or anything with

Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. Shirk is idol-worship. Idol-worship
means attributing form to Allah, encasing Him in an object, a
concept, a ritual or a myth - when Allah has no form, is not like
anything and cannot be conceived of or perceived. Allah the
Most Merciful is prepared to forgive any sin a man or Jinn may
commit, except for dying in a state of Shirk. There are three
types of Shirk:
1. Shirk al-Akbar (major Shirk). This is divided into four
categories:
o Shirk ad-Du'a : invoking or supplicating to a false
deity besides Allah Ta'ala, i.e. invocation or
supplication by either invoking other than Allah or
invoking Him through a created being or thing,
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such as a prophet, an angel, a saint, or even a bank

manager.
o Shirk al-Niyyah wa Iraada wal Qasd : having the
intention and determination to deliberately do any
type of act of worship to a deity other than Allah
Ta'ala.
o Shirk at-Ta'a: obeying any created being against
the command of Allah Ta'ala. Beware of such
Shirk! It is very easy to commit.
o Shirk al-Muhabbah: loving a created being or an
object more than Allah Ta'ala.
2. Shirk aI-Asghar (minor Shirk):
o Shirk ar-Rea':carrying out a religious act for
worldly gains and not for the pleasure of Allah,
e.g. giving Zakat for the sake of fame or praise.
o Shirk at-Tasmee': swearing by other than Allah,
and accordingly relying on other than Allah, or
attaching more importance to other than Allah.
3. Shirk aI-Khafy (hidden Shirk):heing dissatisfied with
what Allah has ordained for a panicular person. Hidden
Shirk is to inwardly worship anything or anyone other
than Allah, or to inwardly associate something or
someone as a partner with Him, especially one's self.

Shaitan

Satan

Satan. An evil Jinn who prompts mankind and Jinn to rebel

against Allah. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil that He has
created . Plural: Shayateen. See Iblis. See Holy Qur'an, AnNisaa (4):117-120.

Shari'a

Islamic law as ordained by Allah Ta'ala. Literally it means 'a

road'. The Shari'a is the legal and social modality of a people
based on the revelation of their prophet. The last Shari'a in
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history is that of Islam. It abrogates all previous Shari'as. It is

being the last, therefore the easiest to follow, for it is applicable
to the whole human race wherever they are.

Shu'aib, peace be upon him

A prophet of Islam. He was sent to the people of Madyan

(Midian), but they rejected him, so Allah Ta'ala destroyed them
with an earthquake. See Mursaleen. See Holy Qur'an,AlA'raf(7):85-93, Houd (11):84-95.

Shuhadaa

Persons who die Fee Sabeeli'IIah (in the path of Allah). Allah
has designated eight things for the Shuhadaa alone:
1. They are the first to be forgiven.
2. They are the first to see their place in Jannah (Paradise)
3. They are exempted from 'Adhabul-Qabr (trials and
tribulations in the grave).
4. They will be exempted from fear on the Day of
Resurrection.
5. They will be crowned with the "Taj al-Waqar" (literally
means "the crown of respect") on that Day.
6. They will each be married to seventy-two
"Houri'een"(see Hooriah).
7. They will each be given permission to intercede on
behalf of seventy-two of their relatives.
8. The sweetness of Iman will physically glow from within
them.

Shelter

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Shivering

Shura (Ash) The Consultation

"The Consultation". Surah 42 of the Holy Qur'an.

Sidrat al_Muntaha

"The lote-tree of the furthest limit." A tree over the Seventh

Heaven near Paradise, the place where form ends and beyond
which no created being may pass. See Holy Qur'an, An-Najm
(53):14-18.

Sincerity

Sinful

Sinless

Sins

Siraat (As)
Literally means "road". It is the bridge over the Nar (Hellfire)
which must be crossed to enter the Garden on the Day of
Judgement. It is described in Ahadeeth as being narrower than
the blade of a sword, thinner than a hair and as having hooks
over it to snatch wrongdoers and throw them into
Jahanam.Some will cross the Siraat into the Garden like
lightning or like the wind, some with ease, some with
difficulty, some with great difficulty and some will fall into the
waiting Fire below. See Holy Qur' an, Mariam (19):71.

Sirah (As)

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[Other Commonly Used Spellings: SEERAH] The writings of

the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) about him, his
personality, his life story. and his ways of handling different
situations is called Sirah. The famous collections of the Sirah
are At-Tabari, Ibn Ishaq, and Ibn Hisham. The Sirah is a source
of reference that Muslims rely on in their daily life situations
and problems.

Siwak

A piece of branch or root of a tree called al-Arak used as a

toothbrush.

slander

Buhtan

A false accusation, calumny, slander.

Slaughter
-
Slave
-
Slaver
Slavery
-
Slave-trade

Slyness -
Sociability

Social
-
Society

Sodomite

Soldier

Solemn

Solemnity
-
Solidarity

Soliloquy
-
Slogan

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Solomon

Solven
Sonship

Soothsayer
-
Sorcerer
-
Sorceress
-
Sorcery

Sordid

Sorrow -
Sorcery

Sot
Souls

Sovereignty

The specific reason

Asbab An-Nazul

The specific reason and circumstances for the revelation of

various verses of the Holy Qur'an. For example: Surat atTaubah, Ayat 79-80 (the story of Abu 'Aqeel). In 9AH the
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
asked for contributions to finance his Tabuk expedition. Being
very poor, but still yearning to contribute, Abu 'Aqeel decided
to offer his services, which lasted from dusk till dawn. He
received only two handfuls of barley in payment. He took the
entire payment and presented it to Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace. A group of Munafiqeen
(hypocrites) saw this and started to deride Abu 'Aqeel by
saying, "Look at Abu 'Aqeel, does he think that Allah is in need
of such a pathetic donation?" Allah Ta'ala became so angry
with them that He immediately sent down the Holy Spirit
Jibreel (The Angel Gabriel), peace be on him, to reveal Surah
9: 79-80 to Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace.
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Spell

Spendthrift

Bukhl

Spendthrift. Allah Ta'ala has forbidden mankind to be either

misers or over-generous to a fault. See Holy Qur'an, Suwar :
Al-Isra (17):26-29, Al-Furqan (25):67.

(The) spider 'Ankaboot (Al)

"The spider" The spider who made its web over the Ghar Thaur
(Cave of Thaur) where the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, and Abu Bakr, may Allah be
pleased with him, hid from the Quraish on his way to Madinah.
Surah 29 of the Holy Qur' an.
Spiritualism

Spleen

Splendid
-
Splendour
-

The Spoils of War Anfaal (Al)

"The Spoils of War". Surah 8 of the Holy Qur'an.

Spoliation
- -
Spontaneously
-
Squad
-
Stateliness
-
Statuary
Status

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Statute
-
Steadfast
-
Steady -
Stickler
-
Stinginess
-
Stingy
-
Stoop
Straightness
-
Strait -
Strayed

Stress
-
Stricken

Stubborn

Suavity
- -
Subdue

Subhan Allah

Glory be to Allah

Glory be to Allah. Far removed is He from anything imperfect

associated with Him and far removed is He from anything
unsuitable ascribed to Him!

Subhanahu wa Ta'ala

"May He be Glorified and Exalted." One of the many ways of

glorifying Allah the Almighty. It means "Glory be to Allah on
High. Far removed is He from any imperfection". The
shortened form of this glorification is "Allah Ta'ala".
Subjection
- -
Subjectivity

Subjugate
-
Sublimity
- -
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Suborder
-
Subordinates

Subsequence

Success
-
Successor

Sufferance

Sulaiman, peace be uon him

Solomon. A prophet of Islam and a wise king. He was the son

of the Prophet (and King) Dawood (David), peace be on both
of them. He ruled the north-western Arabian Peninsula for
about forty years. Allah Ta'ala gifted him with many
powers,which included having power over the winds, being
able to converse with the birds and ants and other animals, and
having power over the evil Jinn. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Anbiya
(21): 79-82, An-Naml (27):15-44, Saba (34):12-14, Saad
(38):30-40.See Mursaleen.

Sunnah traditions

All the traditions and practices of Muhammad, may Allah bless

him and grant him peace, that are recorded not only in such
books as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, but also in living
people to whom these traditions and practices have been
transmitted, from person to person, from then until
now.Although the Sunnah has come to refer almost exclusively
to the practice of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, it also comprises the customs of the first
generation of Muslims in Madina. They learned their Islam
directly from the Prophet, not from books, and transmitted
what they had learned to the next generation. Thus they have
become models whom all Muslims should follow. The Sunnah
is a complete behaviourial science that has been systematically
kept outside the learning framework of this society. It cannot
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be learned from books, although books can be helpful. It can

only be learned from real Muslims who are true teachers.
Plural: Sunnan.

Surah

A chapter of the Holy Qur'an. Literally means "a form". There

are 114 Suwar in the Holy Qur'an. Plural: Suwar.
Superstition

Supplication

Supplication: Invoking Allah for whatever one desires.

Support

Surrender

-

Sustenance
Suzerainty
Sway
Swear

Swearing

Sword

-

Sowrdman
Sylph

Symmetry

Synagogue

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T
Taaghout (pl. Tawaagheet)

The Sharee'ah definition of Taaghout is: Anyone (or anything)

that is worshipped, obeyed or followed other than Allah. In
other words, Taaghout is a false deity (god).
If someone worships a person, and that person accepts to be
worshipped then he is Taaghout. Likewise, if a person makes
legislation he too is Taaghout, as only Allah has the right to
legislate.
Taaghout can be a ruler (who does not rule by Islam), police
(who do not enforce Islam), a stone, constitution, animal,
scholar (who does not judge by the Sharee'ah), celebrity etc.
Whoever follows or worships the Taaghout, he will become
one himself.

Taboo

Tabuk

A famous town 400 miles north of Madinah al-Munawarah

close to Shaam. In 9AH the Messenger of Allah, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, hearing that the Byzantines
were gathering a large army to march against the Muslims, led
a large expedition to Tabuk, on what was to be his last
campaign, only to find that the Byzantine army had withdrawn
back into its own territory.

Tadabour Meditation and consideration

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Taghabunn (At) Mutual Loss

"Mutual Loss". Another name for the Final Houn Surah 64 of
the Holy Qur'an.

Tght

: The word Tght covers a wide range meanings: It means

anything worshipped other than the Real God (Allah), i.e. all
the false deities. It may be Satan, devils, idols, stones, sun,
stars, angels, human beings e.g. Jesus, Messengers of Allah,
who were falsely worshipped and taken as Tghts. Likewise
saints, graves, rulers, leaders, etc., are falsely worshipped, and
wrongly followed.

Tahqiq

Recitation of the Holy Qur'an in a very slow manner. This

method is used only when one is learning or teaching Taj weed.

Taif

A city fifty miles east of Makkah, where the Prophet

Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to
preach after being rejected, beaten and nearly killed by the
pagan Quraish of Makkah in the second year before Hijra.
There too he suffered beatings and humiliation. On his return
journey to Makkah, Allah Ta'ala revealed to him that although
the people of Taif had rejected him, the Jinn had accepted him.
It was then that Surarul Jinn (Surah 72) was revealed to him.

Tajweed
Recitation of the Holy Qur'an with precise articulation and
exact intonation.

233

Takathur (Al):

"The Race for Worldly Gains". Surah 102 of the Holy Qur' an.
Takweer (At) The Overthrowing
"The Overthrowing". Surah 81 of the Holy Qur'an.

Talbiya

The call that the pilgrims make to their Lord on the Hajj,
saying: "Labbaik, labbaik, Allahumma labbaik." ("I am totally
at Your service, I am totally at Your service, O Allah I am
totally at Your service.")
"La shareeka laka labbaik." ("You have no partner, I am totally
at Your service.")
"Innal hamda wa n'imata laka wal mulk." ("Truly, the praise
and the blessing are Yours, and the dominion.")
"La shareeka lak." ("You have no partners.")

Tale

Talisman

Talut

King Saul. He led his army against the army of Jalut (Goliath).
See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):247-249.

Tamper
Taqwa

Fear of Allah

Fear of Allah, being careful, knowing your place in the cosmos.

Its proof is the experience of awe, of Allah, which inspires a
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person to be on guard against wrong action and eager for

actions pleasing to Allah. Fearing Allah as He should be feared
is one of the major signs of being a faithful Muslim. Piety and
restraint (through Taqwa) in times of hardship are signs of
having achieved the essence and spirit of Islam, and thus
Allah's blessing. See Holy Qur'an, Aali 'Imran (3):102-103,ASHashr (59):18-19.

Tariq (Al) The Night Visitant

"The Night Visitant". Surah 86 of the Holy Qur'an.

Tarteel
Measured recitation of the Holy Qur'an taking extreme care
with regard to the rules of slow reading, pausing and stopping
at every indicated point.

Tashahhud

Reciting the following silently while one is in Qu'ud (i.e. the

sitting position) during Salat: "Attahiyatu lillahe wa salawatu
tayibat. Assalamu 'alaika ya aiuhan nabiu wa rahmatullahe wa
barakatuhu. Wa assalamu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibadillahe saleheen.
Ashadu an Ia illaha illal lah. Wa ashadu anna Muhammadar
rasoolu' llah." ("Greetings are for Allah and all prayers and all
good. Peace be on you 0 Prophet and the Mercy of Allah and
His blessing. Peace be on us and on the right-acting slaves of
Allah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and I
bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of , recitation of
the Tashahhud is followed by recitation of Salat al-Ibrahimiya.
See Salatul-Janaza.

Tasneem

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Name of a fountain in Jannah (Paradise) whose drink is

superior to the purest of wines. Its nectar will only be drunk by
those near est to Allah Ta'ala. Literally means "rich and
elevated". See Holy Qur' an, Al-Mutafifeen (83):27-28.

Taubah

Returning to correct action after error, turning away

from wrong action to Allah and asking His
Forgiveness, turning to face Allah whereas before
one turned one's back.
Name of one of the eight gates of Jannah (Paradise).
See Jannah.
"Repentance". Another name for Al-Baraah. Surah 9
of the Holy Qur' an.

Tauhd

: It has three aspects; A, B and C:

(A)

(B)

(C)

Oneness of the Lordship of Allah; Tauhd-ar-Rububiyya:

To believe that there is only one Lord for all the
universe, its Creator, Organizer, Planner, Sustainer, and
the Giver of Security, etc., and that is Allah.
Oneness of the worship of Allah; Tauhd-al-Uluhiyya: To
believe that none has the right to be worshipped [e.g.
praying, invoking, asking for help (from the unseen),
swearing, slaughtering sacrifices, giving charity, fasting,
pilgrimage, etc.], but Allah.
Oneness of the Names and the Qualities of Allah;

Tauhd-al-Asm was-Sifat:

To believe that : (i) we must not name or qualify Allah except

with what He or His Messenger saw has named or qualified
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Him; (ii) none can be named or qualified with the Names or

Qualifications of Allah; e.g. Al-Karim; (iii) we must confirm
Allah's all qualifications which Allah has stated in His Book
(the Qur'n) or mentioned through His Messenger (Muhammad
saw ) without changing them or ignoring them completely or
twisting the meanings or giving resemblance to any of the
created things; e.g. Allah is present over His Throne as
mentioned in the Qur'n. (V. 20 : 5): "The Most Beneficent (i.e.
Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne" over the
seventh heaven; and He only comes down over the first
(nearest) heaven (to us) during the day of 'Araft (Hajj, i.e. 9th
Dhul-Hijja) and also during the last third part of the night, as
mentioned by the Prophet saw , but He is with us by His
Knowledge only, not by His Personal Self (Bi-Dhatihi), "There
is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the AllSeer." (The Qur'n, V. 42:11).
This holy Verse confirms the quality of hearing and the quality
of sight for Allah without resemblance to others; and likewise
He also said:
"To one whom I have created with Both My Hands," (V.
38:75); and He also said:
"The Hand of Allah is over their hands.": (V. 48:10, The
Qur'n). This confirms two Hands for Allah, but there is no
similarity for them.
This is the Faith of all true believers, and was the Faith of all
the Prophets of Allah from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Christ
till the last of the Prophets, Muhammad saw . It is not like as
some people think that Allah is present every-where, here,
there and even inside the breasts of men.
These three aspects of Tauhd are included in the meanings of
L ilha ill Allh (none has the right to be worshipped but
Allah).

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It is also essential to follow Allah's Messenger Muhammad saw

: Wajb Al-Itteba' and it is a part of Tauhd-al-Uluhiyya. This is
included in the meaning: "I testify that Muhammad saw is the
Messenger of Allah" and this means, "None has the right to be
followed after Allah's Book (the Qur'n), but Allah's Messenger
saw ". [See the Qur'n (V. 59:7) and (V. 3:31)].

Tawaf

The circling of the Holy Ka'aba. Tawaf is done in sets of seven

circuits, after each of which it is necessary to pray two
Rak'at,preferably at or near the Maqaam al-Ibrahim. See Tawaf
al-Ifada.

Tawheed (Al) Monotheism The Divine Unity

The Divine Unity, Unity in its most profound sense. Allah is

One in His Essence and His Attributes and His Acts. The whole
universe and what it contains is One unified event which in
itself has no lasting reality. Allah is the Real, AI-Haqq.
Although Allah is indivisible and beyond conception, Tawheed
can be viewed from four distinct perspectives:
1. Tawheed aI-Rububiyah : Unity of Lordship. To perceive
that there is only one Lord, the Master and Creator of the
Universe, Who oversees and orders it in every moment,
and that He is Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala.
2. Tawheed aI-Uluhiyah : Unity of Worship. To realise that
none has the right to be worshipped but Allah "Wahdahu
Ia shareeka'lah" ("Alone without partner").
3. Tawheed al-Asma wa Sifaat : Unity of Names and
Attributes of Allah Ta'ala. To comprehend that:
o None can qualify or name Allah except as He or
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, have named or qualified Him.
o None can be named or qualified with the Names
or the Attributes that belong only to Allah

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Subhana wa Ta'ala. For example, none maybe

called "AI-Muhyee" ("the Giver of Life") except
Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala Himself.
o We must accept all the Ayat and Ahadeeth
(Sahih)regarding the Attributes of Allah without
altering their meaning in any way whatsoever. For
a full list of the Attributes of Allah Ta'ala.
4. Tawheed al-Itabaa : Unity in following the Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
To believe in and recite the words "Ashadu anna
Muhammadar-Rasoolullah" ("I bear witness that
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah") and to follow
the way of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, as much as
one is able, in life and worship. It is only by following
the way of Islam that the true nature of Tawhid becomes
apparent.
Another name for Suratul Ikhlas.

Tawrat:

The revelation received by Moses, the Law of Moses often

used to designate all the books of the Old Testament.

Tax

Taxation

Tayammum

Tayammum literally means 'to intend to do a thing'. As an

Islamic legal term, it refers to wiping one's hands and face with
clean earth as a substitution for ablution when water cannot be
obtained
Temerity

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Temper

Temperance
Temperate
Temple

-
-

Temptation

Tendency
Tenet

- -

Tension
Territory

Terror

Term

Testament
Testify
Testimonial
Testimony

Thamud

- -

Successors to the people of 'Ad. They lived in north-western

Arabia between what is now known as Madinah and Syria.
Their prophet was Saleh (peace be on him). Allah Ta'ala
destroyed them with an earthquake. See Holy Qur' an, Al-A'raf
(7):73-79, Hud (11):61-68, Ash'Shu'araa (26):141-159, AnNaml (27):45-53, Az-Zariyat (51):43-45,Al-Qamar(54):23-31.

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Theism

Theologians
Theology

Theosophy
Thicket
Thrall
Thralldom
Threat

-
-

The Throne of Allah

'Arsh

The Throne of Allah. The 'Arsh is the immense starless heaven

that encompasses the visible Universe, which is referred to as
the Kursi. Sayyidina 'Ali, may Allah he pleased with him, said
that the relationship of the Kursi to the 'Arsh is like that of a
small ring lying in the middle of a vast desert. This is why
'Arsh is correctly translated as 'Throne' and Kursi as 'Seat or
'Foot-stool', although sometimes those who are unaware of the
existence and nature of the Arsh translate Kursi as 'Throne'.
Thunder
Thunderbolt
Tidiness

Tilawat

This word has a variety of meanings, depending on the context:

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Studying the Qur'an in order to understand it in the

way it should be understood. See Al-Baqara
(2):121.
Meditating and reflecting on the Qur'an's meanings in
order to enrich one's life and knowledge.
Reading and reciting the Qur'an by oneself.
Reading and reciting and conveying its meanings to
others.
Approaching and acting on the Qur'an in such a way
that it becomes part of one's inner self, thus
helping one to attain perfect prayer and to avoid
any form of evil or shameful deeds and to be an
upright person in the sight of Allah Ta'ala. See
Holy Qur'an,Al -'Ankaboot(29):45.
Tolerance
Tomb

Toor

The Mount

"The Mount". Toori Sineen is the original name for Mount

Sinai, on which the Prophet Musa (Moses) received the
revelation of the Torah from Allah. Surah 52 of the Holy Qur'
an.
Torture

Traditional
Traditions
Tranquility

-

Treachrry

Treasury

242

Treatment
Treaty

Asabiyyah tirbal loyalty

It means tirbal loyalty, nationalism.
Tribe

Tribe of Israel

Bani Israeel

"Tribe of Israel". The descendants of the twelve sons of

Yacoub, who was also called Israeel, the son of Ishaq, who
was, the son of the Prophet Ibrahim, peace be on them all.
Another name for Suratul al-Isra. Surah 1 7of the Holy Qur' an.
Tribute
Trifles

-
Abateel

Triumph

Troth

Truce

Hudnh

Truth

The Truthful

As-Siddiq

"The Truthful". This title was given to Abu Bakr, may Allah be
pleased with him, by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace. When the Prophet Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, related his
experience of al-Isra (his night journey to the Masjid al-Aqsa in
Jerusalem) wal Mi'raj (and his ascension through the seven
243

heavens) to Abu Bakr , may Allah he pleased with him, he

immediately and without any reservation replied "Sadaqt" :
"You have spoken the truth". From that time on, Abu Bakr,
may Allah be pleased with him, came to be known as Abu Bakr
as-Siddiq.
The Truthfulness

Trustworthy

Ameen

The Honest : An attribute of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

Trusty

Turban

Tyrant

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U
Uhud

( )

A mountain just outside Madina, much loved by the Prophet

Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, at the
foot of which the Muslims fought their second major battle
against the pagan Qur'aish of Makka in 3AH. The Qur'aish
army of 3,000 men, under the leadership of Abu Sufyan,
attacked the Muslim army of about 700-1,000 men. The battle
went well at first, but the Muslims nearly lost the battle for two
reasons. Firstly, some fifty archers disobeyed the Prophet
Muhammad and left their posts, leaving the Muslims open to
an attack from their rear; and secondly, there was treachery on
the part of some 300 Munafiqeen (hypocrites) led by 'Abdallah
ibn Ubai, who deserted the Muslims during the battle. Many
great companions, and in panicular the uncle of the Prophet,
Hamza, 'the lion of Allah', were killed in this battle. See Bani
Nadheer. See Holy Qur'an, Aali 'Imran (3):121-128, 140- 180.

Ulil 'Amr

Muslims who are in charge or in authonty, or who are leaders.

The Muslims are ordered to obey all their commands as long as
they do not contradict the commandments of Allah Ta'ala and
the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace. See Holy Qur' an, An-Nisaa (4):59.

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, May Allah be pleased with him

Umar ibn al-Khattab. The second of the four "Al-Khulafaa arRashideen", the Rightly-Guided Khalifas, the other three being:
1. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq.
2. Uthman ibn 'Affan.
3. Ali ibn Abi Talib.
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May Allah be pleased with all of them. Umar was renowned for
his justness and strength, and for his refusal to compromise the
teachings of Islam in any way. He was the Khalifaa from 13AH
to 23 AH. He asked Allah for martyrdom in the way of Allah in
Madina, and his request was answered. Umar died after be ing
stabbed in the stomach while doing the dawn prayer in the
Mosque of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace.

Umm'me

An unlettered person. This term is used in the Qur'an to

describe the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, who could neither read nor write and who
never received any formal education. To the unbeliever here is
food for thought: how could an illiterate man have brought
such a completely perfect book (the Holy Qur'an), perfect in its
meaning, message, grammar and overall content, if it were not
with divine help? No other book exists on earth that has such
perfect content and structure. A challenge to all unbelievers!
Mankind and Jinn! Assemble together and try to produce just
one Surah (chapter) like it. You will never be able to do it, even
if you were to try until the Day of Resurrection you will not
succeed! No created being has ever been or ever will be able to
meet this challenge, for the Holy Qur'an is truly the Book of
Allah. Plural: Ummiyeen. See Khatam Anbiyaa.
The Umayyad Caliphs (40-132 A.H./661-750 A.D.)

The Umayyad Caliphs (40-132 A.H./661-750 A.D.) : The

Muslim Umayyad Caliphs belong to the Banu Umayyah of the
Quraish. The first among them was Mu`awiah bin Abi Sufyan
and the last was Marwan II. Damascus was their capital. After
being overcome by the Abbasids, they moved to Andalusia and
ruled in Cordoba from 138-422 A.H./756-1031 A.D. Their first
ruler in Andalusia was `Abdul-Rahman Al-Dakhil. Their rule
was brought to an end at the hands of Muluk Al-Tawa'if (Kings
of Petty States).
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Ummah

Nation

Community or Nation. The body of the Muslims as one distinct

and integrated community. The Unimah of Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, refers to every Ins wal
Jinn (mankind and Jinn) born after the final message was
revealed through the Holy Prophet Muhammad who have
embraced Islam. The Ummah ofMuhammad, may the blessings
and peace of Allah be on him and all his community (those
who have lived in the past, those who are alive now and those
who will live in the future), can be subdivided into two groups:
1. Ummat ad-Da'wa - the nation that was called upon to
believe in Allah Ta'ala and the Last Day.
2. Ummat al-Isteajaba - the nation that responded to the
call of Muhammad. Another name for this Ummah is
"Al- Ummah al-Islamiah" ("the Islamic Nation"). Allah
Subhana wa Ta'ala commanded the Ummat al-Isteajaba
to hold together and not to disagree. Unfonunately , this
decree has been ignored, and in fulfilment of the Last
Messenger's prophecy, may Allah bless him and grant
him peace, there are now 73 different groups of
Muslims, only one of whom possesses and protects the
original teachings of Islam as brought and embodied by
him.

Ummiyeen Unlettered persons

Unlettered persons. Singular: Umm-me.

Umra

A pilgrimage to Makkah, but not during the Hajj period.

It is also called "the Lesser Pilgrimage". Umra consists
of four steps:

247

1. Put on the Ihram at the appointed Miqat station.

Then proceed to Makka reciting the Talbiyah
(aloud for men and quietly for women). See
Ihram, Miqat. Talbiyah.
2. Do Tawaf of the Ka'aba seven times. During the
Tawaf one may do any Du'a (and in any language)
to Allah Ta'ala if one wishes. But remember to
point the palm of the right hand and say "Allahu
Akbar" at the start of each circuit. Each circuit
starts and ends at the Hajar al-Aswad (the Black
Stone). See Tawaf, Du'a.
3. Go to Safa and start the Sa'i to Marwa. The Sa'i
consists of walking between Safa and Marwa
seven times (each direction is considered as one
time). Men must jog between two prescribed
points.
4. Shave or trim the hair after the completion of the
Sa'i. It is then permissible to change out of lhram.
Synonym for Ruqba. See Ruqba.

Undisputed

Unerring

Unfair

Unified
Unique
Universe
Uulawful
Unqualified
Unread

-

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Unreserved
Unrest

The Unseen.

1. 'Ilmul Ghaib : Knowledge of the Unseen. No human has

'Ilmul Ghaib. Only Allah Ta' ala has total command of
that knowledge.
2. BiI Ghaib : In the unseen. All Muslims believe in the
Unseen, i.e. all that is revealed to us by Allah Ta'ala in
the Holy Qur'an and by the Holy Prophet Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, about the
Malaika (angels) and the life in the Akhira (Hereafter) in
all its aspects, even though they are invisible to our eyes.
See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):3.
Uprising

Urbanization

Usage

- - -

Usurer

Usury

Uthman Ibn 'Affan, may Allah be pleased with him

One of the greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He was the third of
the four Rightly-Guided Khalifaas (Al-Khulafaa arRashideen). He ruled from 24AH to 36AH. He was martyred at
his home by the supporters of Abdallah ibn Sabaa, the
249

infamous Jew who pretended he had become a Muslim in order

to cause discord between Uthman and the Muslim Ummah by
creating a new and false sect within Islam. See Khalifaa.

250

Vain
Vanities

Abateel

Vainglory
Valiant

Valid

- -

Validity

-

Valorous

Valour

- -

Valuable

Value

-
-

Variable

Variance
Vassal

-

Venerable

-

Veneration

-

Vengeance

-
-

251

Vault

Venture

Verbal

Hukm

verdict

The closest equivalent in the English language is "verdict". It

usually applies to a judgement on legal issues, especially with
regard to religious matters.
Verification
Verity

Verse Ayah

A verse of the Holy Qur'an. Literally means "a sign". Plural:

Ayat.

Verve

Vestal
Vicar

- -

Victor

Victory

Vindication
Violation
Violators
Violence

252

 -

Virgin

- -

Virtual

Vitue

253

Visible

Vitiation

Vizier

Vizier is the Anglicized form of the Arabic word wazir, a

minister, usually chief minister, to a Caliph or Muslim ruler or
sultan. On occasion a vizier was in effect the governor.

Vocation
Volition

- -

Voluntary

- -

Volunteer

Voracity

Vortex

Votary

254

W
Wag

Wakil

Other Commonly Used Spellings: WAKEEL A person who is

an authorized repesentative or proxy. Also can mean lawyer in
Urdu.

Walee A guardian

A guardian, aperson who has responsibility for another person;

used particularly for the person who 'gives' a woman in
marriage. Also someone who is a 'friend' of Allah, one of the
Sabiqoon and Muqarraboon. Singular of Awliyaa. See Awliyaa.
War

Wariness

Warning

Warrantable
Warrior

Wasaya Wills and testaments

Wills and testaments. Bequests. Allah Ta'ala commands us to

make a bequest of our goods to our parents and next of kin. See
Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):180. The exact manner of
255

distribution of one's goods is complicated and therefore should

be studied very carefully before writing out one's will.
Basically one can bequeath up to one-third of one's property to
whomever one wishes, but the remaining two-thirds must be
divided between one's surviving relatives in fixed shares, as
delineated by the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Singular: Wasaya.

Washm Tattoo mark

Tattoo mark. It is forbidden for a Muslim to have a tattoo on
his or her body. Wasm = tattoo.
Wasteful

Wayfarer

Weal

-

Welfare

Whim
Will

-
-

Wisdom

Wise

Withdrawal

Witness

Witr

A Salat which has an odd number of Rak'at: two Rak'at,

followed by one Rak'a. This Salat is prayed last thing at night
before one goes to sleep, or else delayed and prayed at the end
of the Tahajjud Salat by those who rise in the night, seeking the
pleasure and the face of Allah Ta'ala.
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Wizard

Worship

Ibadah

Acts of worship and adoration in utmost submission and

obedience and with utmost love to Allah Ta'ala. In other words,
a term that indicates all that pleases Allah, including sayings
and actions of the heart or limbs. Love, fear, reverence, desire
(hope), trust and sincerity are some forms of worship from
within the heart. Prayers, attending to someone's needs,
invocation, supplication and sacrifices are some forms of
worship of the limbs. Ibadah is to worship Allah as He wishes
to be worshipped. See Arkan .
Worshipful

Worshipper
Worth

Worthiness
Wound

Wrathful
Wreak

Wrestle
Wrongdoer
Wrongful

-

Wudu
257

Ritual washing with water alone to be pure for the prayer. The
way to do Wudu is:
1. Wash hands thrice*.
2. Wash mouth thrice*.
3. Wash nostrils thrice*.
4. Wash face thrice*.
5. Wash right forearm thrice*.
6. Wash left forearm thrice*.
7. Wipe scalp and nape of neck and then ears once,(or
twice or thrice).
8. Wash right foot thrice*.
9. Wash left foot thrice*.
*Once or twice is also allowed. See Holy Qur'an, An-Nisa
(4):43, Al-Ma'idah (5):7. You must already be in Ghusl for
Wudu to be effective. You should ensure that your private parts
and underclothes are clean before doing Wudu. Once you have
done Wudu you remain in Wudu until it is broken by:
1. Any of the conditions which make it necessary to have a
Ghusl. See Ghusl.
2. Emission of impurities from the private parts: urine,
faeces, wind, prostatic fluid, or other discharge.
3. Loss of consciousness by whatever means: usually by
sleep or fainting.
4. Physical contact between man and woman where sexual
pleasure is either intended or experienced.
5. Touching your penis with the inside of your hand or
fingers.
6. Leaving Islam.
It is necessary to be in Ghusl and in Wudu (or alternatively to
do Tayammum under certain circumstances) to do the Salat
(Prayer) and to hold a copy of the Qur'an. See Tayammum .

Wusta

()

258

Middle. Salatul Wusta refers to the middle prayer, which is the

'Asr prayer (the third of the five compulsory daily prayers), for
those whose day begins at dawn. However, some say it refers
to the Fajr prayer. This is because the Muslims follow a lunar
calendar: the first day of a new lunar month is only determined
when the new moon is sighted shortly after sunset. Therefore
the Muslim day begins at Maghreb, and the first prayer of that
new day is Maghreb, which makes the third (middle) prayer
Fajr.

259

Y
Yacoub, Peace be upon him

Jacob. A prophet of Islam. He was also known as Israel. His

twelve sons each became head of their own tribe and these
were known as the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob was the son of
Ishaaq, who was the son of Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be on
them. See Mursaleen.

Yahoud The Jews

The Jews. This term is correctly used to describe the three

tribes of Israel - the tribes of Judah, Levi and Benjamin - who
after the twelve tribes had escaped from Egypt with Moses,
peace be on him, and settled in the Holy Land, separated from
the other tribes of Israel (who were known as the Israelites) and
became known as the Judahites. The term 'Judahite' was
shortened to 'Judean', which was then eventually shortened to
'Jew'. The Judahite Jews re-wrote and altered the Torah several
times and formulated the Talmud (incorporating the Mishnah,
the Jerusalem Gemara, the Babylonian Gemara and the
Midrash), and their religion became known as Judaism.
'Yahoud' is the Arabic equivalent of 'Judahite'. It is clear,
therefore, that the term 'Yahoud' can only really be correctly
used to describe the Middle Eastern and Sephardhic Jews; and
can only be very loosely applied to the Ashkenazim Jews who
are descended from the turkic Russian tribe of the Khazars who
embraced Judaism in the seventh century, but who were not
originally descended from any of the twelve tribes of Israel. It
is for this reason that some commentators identify the
Ashkenazim Jews with 'Jewj wa Majewj', Gog and Magog,
(since they are 'Jews', but not Judahite Jews), about whom it is
prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39 that they will come from their
260

place in the far north (Russia), helped by many nations, and

attack the land of Israel, and that eventually there will be a
mightly battle in which they will all be destroyed.

Yahya, Peace be upon him

John the Baptist. A prophet of Islam. Son of the Prophet

Zakaria and Al-Yasaabat (Elizabeth), and the maternal cousin
of Mariam (Mary), Mother of Isa (Jesus), peace be on all of
them. He was therefore a cousin of the Prophet Isa (Jesus), Son
of Mariam (Mary). He was sent by Allah Ta'ala to prepare the
way for the Prophet Isa. The Prophet Yahya was imprisoned,
then later beheaded by Herod in order to prove his infatuation
for a dancing girl (his niece). It is unfortunate that the Nasara
(Christians) choose to call him John, because the name Yahya
has a special place in history. He was the first man ever to be
called Yahya. See Holy Qur'an, Aali'Imran (3):39,Al-An'am
(6):85, Maryam (19):12-15, Al-Anbiya (2l):90-91.

Yarmuk

A place in Shaam. Site of a famous battle.

Yaum al-jaza

Literally means the Day of Payment. Another name for the Day
of Judgement, when mankind and Jinn will be paid what is due
to them, either by being sent to Jannah (Paradise) or to Nar
(Hellfire).

Yaum-al-qiama

Literally means the Day of Standing. This is the day when we

will be raised from our graves and will stand while waiting to
be judged by Allah Ta'ala. This day has many names,
including:
1. Al-Qari'a (Day of Clamour).

261

2. At-Taama al-Kubra (The Complete Covering). For a

complete list of the names and description of the Yaum
al-Qiama.

262

Yaqeen Certainty
Certainty. Faith in general is based on the Yaqeen of the
believer. It has three stages:
1. Ilm al-Yaqeen - knowledge of certainty.
2. Ayn al-Yaqeen - source of certainty.
3. Haqq al-Yaqeen - truth of certainty.
The Raja of Mahmudabad defined them thus in this metaphor:
1. You are told there is a fire in the forest.
2. You reach the fire in the forest and see it for yourself.
3. You are the fire in the forest.
See Holy Qur'an, Al-Hijr (15):99

Yatama Orphans

Orphans. Singular: Yateem. See Yateem.

Yateem Orphan
Orphan. It is a major sin to harm, abuse or cheat orphans in any
way whatsoever. Allah Ta'ala will give a great reward to
anyone who takes care of orphans. Plural: Yatama. See Holy
Qur'an,Al-Baqara(2):220, An-Nisa(4):2,6,10,127,Al-Isra
(17):34.

Yathrib

Yathrib : The old name of Medina

Yunus, , Peace be upon him

"Jonah" or "Jonas". A prophet of Islam. He was sent to the city

of Nineveh (on the left bank of the Tigris, opposite the city of
Mosul, in Iraq, to preach against their wickedness and call
them to the worship of Allah. The people of Nineveh at first
263

rejected him, but when he pronounced the curse of Allah upon

them, repented their sins. However, he still left the city in
anger, forgetting that Allah is full of mercy, as well as
forgiveness. As a punishment, Allah Ta'ala caused a whale to
swallow him up for a limited time. In the darkness of the
whale's stomach, in the darkness of the ocean, in the darkness
of the night, Yunus turned to his Lord and asked for His
forgiveness. The whale spewed him up on the beach and, after
recovering from his ordeal, Yunus returned to the city whose
inhabitants all became his followers. He then came to be
known as Dhu'l-Noon (man of the whale). See Holy Qur'an,
As-Saffa at(37):139-149. Surah 10 of the Holy Qur'an. See
Mursaleen.

Yusuf, , Peace be upon him

"Joseph". A prophet of Islam. One of the sons of Yacoub

(Jacob), peace be on them. Surah 12 of the Holy Qur'an.
See: Mursaleen.

264

Z
Zaboor

Holy Book revealed to the Prophet Dawood (David), peace be

on him.

Zaid

Zaid ibn Haritha was one of the first people to accept Islam. He
was a freedman of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, who treated him like his own son. In
the eighth year before Hijra, the Prophet Muhammad, may the
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, gave to Zaid in
marriage his own cousin Zainab bint Jahsh. The marriage
ended in divorce. It was Allah Ta'ala's will that the Holy
Prophet himself should marry her. The Prophet Muhammad's
marriage to her, in 5AH, made it clear that an adopted son is
not to be legally regarded as a natural son as regards remarriage and inheritance. If Zaid had been the Prophet's natural
son, then the Prophet would not have been allowed to marry
Zainab, since a man is not permitted to marry the ex-wife of his
natural son. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Ahzab (33):37-38.

Zainab (Bint Jahsh)

Wife of Zaid ibn Haritha. She later married the Holy Prophet,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. For further
information See Zaid ibn Haritha. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Ahzab
(33):28, 37-38, 50.
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Zakariah, Peace be on him

The Prophet Zacchariah. A prophet of Islam. He looked after

Maryam, the mother of Jesus, in the Temple of Solomon, when
she was a child. He was the father of the Prophet Yahya, peace
be on them all.

Zallah A major error

A major error, e.g. unintentional backbiting. Generally
speaking, a person seeks Allah's forgiveness immediately after
realizing that he or she has committed a Zallah.

Zaqqum

An extremely bitter and thorny tree that grows at the bottom of

Hellfire. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Isra (17):60, As-Saffat (37):6266, Ad-Dukhan (44):43-46, Al-Waqi'ah (56):52.

Zeal

Zealous

Zindeeq

Hypocrite or unbeliever. Anyone who does not believe in Allah

and who rejects His Messengers, may Allah bless them and
grant them peace

Zion

Zionism
Zoor

266

Giving false evidence. The act of committing perjury.

Zukhruff (Al) The Gold Ornaments

"The Gold Ornaments". Surah 43 of the Holy Qur'an.

Zummar (Al) The Troops

"The Troops". Surah 39 of the Holy Qur'an.

267